In this episode, we discuss pregnancy scanning results across the country, with some farmers reporting low not-in-calf rates. We also explore the importance of planning for next season’s mating, selecting the right bull team, and how advancements in breeding technology, including sexed semen, are helping farmers improve herd efficiency and productivity.

 

Guests include:

1. Ben Watson, Co-Founder and General Manager, GENEZ
2. Rosanna Dixon, Senior Agri Manager, LIC
3. Mitchell Koot, Genetic Product Manager, CRV

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Ben Watson, General Manager of GENEZ, discusses the breeding business, which partners with top beef breeders to improve beef genetics for dairy farmers. He highlights the benefits of optimised genetics for traits like easy calving, rapid growth, and better carcass weight. Ben also explores the importance of traceability for identifying high-performing calves and how dairy and beef farmers can collaborate to boost profitability. He offers advice on using beef genetics to enhance herd performance while maintaining a healthy bottom line.

Rosanna Dickson, Senior Agri Manager at LIC, shares her expertise on achieving successful mating outcomes for farmers. She emphasises the importance of pregnancy scanning and the benefits of mating in October. Rosanna also discusses the significance of planning for the next season, considering genetics and cow management. She advises farmers to evaluate their mating strategies post-season, focusing on calf futures and body condition scoring for better herd management. Rosanna encourages a tailored approach to breeding, incorporating genomics to improve genetic selection and manage risks effectively.

Mitchell Koot, Genetics Product Manager for CRV, discusses the positive results farmers are seeing with sexed semen use. He highlights how targeting the right cows, especially those in early lactation, can increase success rates. Mitchell also touches on the role of wearable technology in improving heat detection and insemination timing. He explains the benefits of using frozen sexed semen and the growing demand for CRV's high semen fertility bulls. Additionally, Mitchell talks about CRV's Accelerate pack and the importance of selecting the right genetics for breeding, including options for dairy beef.

 

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This episode we take a deep dive into the changes affecting rising insurance premiums and advice on how to navigate the changes including a new insurance model called parametric insurance that will help farmers insure in the face of extreme weather events.

 

Guests include:

1. Brett Borrell, Commercial and Rural Manager, Gallaghers Insurance
2. Lucie Douma, Head of Client Strategy and Advice, FMG

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

 

Gallagher Insurance commercial and rural manager Brett Borrell, breaks down the key factors driving insurance prices up for farmers and how insurance for insurers (reinsurance) plays a significant role in the rising costs of premiums. He also discusses the challenges farmers face in managing risk and offers insights on how understanding the components of your premium can help make informed decisions.

FMG head of client strategy and advice Lucie Douma, introduces the new insurance model parametric insurance. This is a model designed to help farmers manage extreme weather risks. She highlights its growing popularity and how it can complement existing coverage to ensure quicker and more efficient compensation when disaster strikes.

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In this episode, we explore the rise in global dairy prices underpinned by China’s expanding appetite for our dairy products with growing demand for high-protein foods. We also discuss the economic impact of trade tensions and how farmers can navigate this market volatility. Plus, the importance of future policy settings in the face of an unpredictable global landscape.

Guests include:

1. Stu Davison, Senior Manager of global market insights, High Ground Dairy
2. Cristina Alvarado, Head of dairy insights, NZX
3. Bruce Weir, General Manager of rural banking, Rabobank

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Senior manager of global market insights at High Ground Dairy,  Stu Davison, unpacks the latest dairy market volatility and what it means for New Zealand farmers. He discusses the impact of Trump’s trade policies, the role of tariffs as a negotiation tool, and why China remains a key player in global dairy demand. Stu also examines shifting commodity trends, the rise of China as a dairy exporter, and how high-protein diets are reshaping consumer demand. Plus, he shares insights on futures market trends and what to watch for in the season ahead.

Cristina Alvarado, Head of Dairy Insights at NZX, breaks down the latest Global Dairy Trade auction results and the factors driving rising dairy prices. She discusses China’s strong market presence, shifting global demand, and the impact of lower product volumes from Fonterra. Cristina also explores the influence of tariffs on trade, trends in international milk supply, and how futures markets are responding. Plus, she shares insights on what farmers can expect as the season progresses.

Bruce Weir, General Manager of Rural Banking at Rabobank, discusses the current outlook for New Zealand’s dairy sector and what it means for farmers. He highlights the positive outlook for dairy prices, supported by stable global supply and strong demand from China. Bruce also explores how farmers are managing market volatility through futures contracts and locking in margins. He touches on the renewed confidence in property markets, with farmers expanding and upgrading infrastructure, and the rise in investment in on-farm efficiencies. Additionally, Bruce shares insights on managing costs, interest rates, and the challenges ahead, while maintaining an optimistic view of the future of dairy. 

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Johne’s disease is a devastating disease for farmers to deal with, however it is not uncommon and is both preventable and treatable with a conversation with your vet. 

Guests include:

1. Kara Dawson, Veterinary Epidemiologist, LIC
2. Sonja Coombes, Veterinarian, Selwyn Rakaia Vets
3. Steve Skelton, Waikato Farmer

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

LIC Veterinary Epidemiologist, Kara Dawson, discusses how Johne’s disease spreads and what research is being done to tackle it in the first place. She talks about the “three-legged stool” approach to preventing Johne’s on farm in the first place. 

Selwyn Rakaia Vets veterinarian, Sonja Coombes, explains how a vet monitors Johne's and what kinds of testing farmers can be doing to tackle the disease proactively. 

Waikato farmer Steve Skelton has experienced Johne’s first-hand on his farm, and shares how they dealt with it at the time and what they’re doing to manage it now. 

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Managing physical and mental health is constantly becoming more important in our day to day lives. In this episode hear from food scientist and nutritionist, Dr. Anneline Padayachee about the importance of nutrition from dairy. We also hear from Kathryn Wright, a registered rural councilor, about how to work towards goals and focus on the positive.

Guests include:

1. Dr Anneline Padayachee, Food Scientist and Nutritionist
2. Kathryn Wright, Registered Councilor 

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Food Scientist and Nutritionist, Dr Aneeline Padayachee discusses the importance of dairy in one's diet, the growing stigma surrounding dairy products and why dairy intolerance is seeing such a rise.

Registered rural councilor Kathryn Wright discusses ways to change your day-to-day lives to better your mental health, why we think the way we do about ourselves, and how goal setting can be the first step towards a change for the better.

 

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Deputy Editor Anne Lee attended the Australasian Dairy Science Symposium in November, and got the chance to talk to some of the researchers speaking at the conference. Hear the latest research in areas like managing heat stress, stacking mitigations to reduce N losses, and getting enough sleep. 

Guests include:

1. Dr Angela Lees, The University of Queensland

2. Dr Jennifer Van Os, University of Wisconsin

3. Lucy Hall, DairyNZ

4. Nicole Wheadon, DairyNZ

 

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Dr Angela Lees from the University of Queensland has been part of a study using a probiotic to help cows withstand heat stress, to help the gut buffer heat stress symptoms. They found it was effective at lowering rumen temperature slightly and works by protecting rumen structures which in turn helps prevent bacteria getting into the blood stream and setting off an immune response.

Dr Jennifer Van Os from the University of Wisconsin discusses research into early intervention when it comes to heat stress in cows. She says it’s about not waiting until there’s severe consequences such as infertility, loss of productivity, or survivability, but instead listening to the cows when they are showing discomfort. 

DairyNZ Scientist Lucy Hall discusses a study they’ve done into how well farmers sleep during busy periods, and through quieter periods, and whether they are getting the quality of sleep needed - unsurprisingly, most of them aren’t. 

DairyNZ’s Nicole Wheadon shares findings from their first year of research into the impact of stacked mitigations on N losses at farmlet scale. 

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A new bill has been introduced to parliament this week outlining the proposed regulatory regime for genetic technologies and genetically modified organisms. 

In this episode hear from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) science advisor Dr Emily Parker on the bill’s proposal for a tiered, risk-based approach to licensing and what could be exempt from the regulations. Also hear from from Dr Raj Bhula - the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia. Australia’s system has been used as a blueprint for New Zealand’s new regulations.

Guests include:

1. Dr Emily Parker, Professor of Chemical Biology at Victoria University of Wellington and Science Advisor to MBIE

2. Dr Raj Bhula, Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, editor, Dairy Exporter

2. Anne Lee, deputy editor, Dairy Exporter

Dr Emily Parker is science advisor to MBIE, and discusses how the hybrid model would use a tiered risk-based approach. 

Read more about the bill here:

• Gene technology regulation | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

• Gene Technology Bill 110-1 (2024), Government Bill Contents – New Zealand Legislation

Dr Raj Bhula is the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia. The Australian system has been used as a blueprint for the proposed regulations in New Zealand. She discusses the licensing process and regulations there and shares insights into the Australian experience in exempting some gene editing techniques from the regulations altogether.

Read more from the Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator:

• Community attitudes report

• Quarterly activities report

• One of the 20 year retrospective reports

• Genetically modified organism herbicide tolerance trait review report

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BVD is a significant problem in the dairy industry. In this episode we talk to the US-based scientist who carried out a world first by gene editing BVD resistance into a bovine embryo, cloning it and producing a live BVD resistant calf. Also hear more about LIC’s new partnership in an American gene editing project.

Guests include:

1. Dr Aspen Workman, scientist,  US Meat Animal Research Center

2. Emma Blott, general manager commercial, LIC

3. Jason Schrier, international dairy development manager, LIC

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Dr Aspen Workman from the US Meat Animal Research Center, is the lead researcher in a project that led to the world’s first gene edited, BVD resistant cow. Ginger was born in July 2021, and is now due to have her own calf this month. 

• Read more about this study here.

LIC is a partner in a gene editing project, providing embryos that will be gene edited in the US to include the Slick gene for improved heat tolerance. The embryos will also be gene edited for BVD resistance along with resistance against two other diseases. Semen from resulting bulls will be used in Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the overall project, being funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Having control over your finances puts you more firmly at the helm when it comes to the direction of travel of your farm business. Hear how a North Canterbury couple budgets and then monitors with good systems and communication so they and their two sons can meet the goals they’ve set together. We also hear from an accountant on how to manage tax so there are no surprises.

Guests include:

1. Duncan & Nicky Anderson, North Canterbury Dairy Farmers

2. Trudi Ballantyne, Director, Stem Rural

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

North Canterbury dairy farmers Duncan and Nicky Anderson share their financial management system onfarm as a team. It all started with a mark and measure course, which got them thinking about the future of the farms financials, alongside their two sons. 

• Read more about Duncan and Nicky Anderson here.

Director of accounting firm Stem Rural Trudi Ballantyne discusses some of the ways farmers can manage their tax, how the provisional tax system affects farm businesses in particular, and explains where AIM (Accountant Income Method) fits into that.

• Read the Special Report with Trudi Ballantyne here.

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Financial literacy is almost like learning another language, and in the summer issue of Dairy Exporter the special report focusses on where to start and what is to gain from improving financial literacy in our farm businesses. From understanding debt management, to growing your funds through compounding, in this episode we break down the key terms and tools.

Guests include:

1. Paul Bird, Financial Educator, DairyNZ

2. Chris Lewis, Managing Director, BakerAg

Hosts:

1. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

2. Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

DairyNZ’s Paul Bird discusses the basics of financial literacy, including the everyday terminology, and how learning the terms and tools will help you grow a successful farm business, including the power of compounding money. 

BakerAg’s Chris Lewis discusses the key things to be aware of when it comes to running a financially strong farm business, including doing a budget together as a partnership, good communication on spending, and managing debt. 

• Read the Special Report here.

• Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here

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