DAIRY Country

• Episode 88 - From Farm to National Stage

  Taranaki dairy farm manager Martin Keegan, winner of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, shares how entering the competition became a turning point in his career. Farming alongside his fiancée’s family and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he’s built a system focused on stock health, efficiency, and people. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Martin about awards night, his three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the lessons that followed. They also discuss communication, workplace culture, and his message to other farmers considering entering: “You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.” Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Martin Keegan, Taranaki dairy farm manager Martin Keegan reflects on his journey to becoming the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year and relives the excitement of the awards process. Farming alongside his fiancée’s family in Taranaki and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he shares how focusing on people, communication, and stock performance has shaped his approach to leadership. He talks about the experience of awards night, winning three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the pride of being part of New Zealand’s dairy sector. Martin also discusses the value of connection and mentorship within the industry, his role encouraging new entrants through the regional committee, and his advice to others considering entering the awards: to do it for the learning, the challenge, and the opportunity to grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 87 - Watching the GDT

  Global supply shifts and changing demand are shaping the outlook for New Zealand dairy prices, according to NZX Dairy Insights Head, Cristina Alvarado, fresh from the SGX-NZX Global Dairy Seminar in Singapore and International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit in Santiago, Chile. Anne Lee speaks with Cristina, she shares what global trends could mean for milk prices in the months ahead. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Cristina about the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) results, softening dairy fats prices, seasonal supply impacts, and growing international interest in New Zealand dairy trade. They also discuss sustainability trends and the global supply chain factors influencing international milk prices. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Cristina Alvarado, Head of Dairy Insights, NZX Cristina Alvarado shares insights from her recent trips to Singapore and South America, and her observations on global dairy markets as supply continues to grow in key regions. She explains how attending the SGX- NZX Global Dairy Seminar and the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit highlighted shifting buyer behaviour, sustainability initiatives, and the growing demand for protein-rich and high-quality dairy products. Cristina also outlines trends in global milk pricing, supply and demand dynamics, and how these factors may influence New Zealand’s milk price outlook. She discusses the importance of New Zealand’s reputation for stable, high-quality dairy exports, the role of international trade relationships, and the strategic focus on ingredient markets and product innovation. Looking ahead, she emphasises monitoring global market signals, understanding evolving consumer and buyer trends, and positioning New Zealand dairy for long-term resilience and value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 86 - Navigating Global Dairy

  Global market insights and on-the-ground observations are shaping the perspective of dairy analyst Stu Davison. He recently returned from China and shares what he saw in the evolving bakery and dairy sectors, and what it could mean for New Zealand farmers and milk prices. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Stu about the scale and sophistication of Chinese dairy processing, shifting consumer habits, and how premium ingredients like UHT cream and butter are driving demand. They also discuss global supply growth, New Zealand’s milk price outlook, the shifting focus on ingredient markets over consumer brands, and the role of global trade and currency movements in shaping opportunities for the dairy industry. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Stu Davison, Senior Manager, Global Market Insights for HighGround Dairy Stu Davison shares insights from his recent trip to China and his global market observations as milk supply around the world is on the rise.. He explains how visiting large-scale, technologically advanced Chinese dairy and bakery operations has highlighted shifts in consumer habits and premium ingredient demand. Stu also outlines trends in global milk pricing trends, and currency movements and their potential influence on New Zealand’s milk price outlook. He discusses the strategic focus on ingredient markets over consumer brands and the importance of consistent, high-quality processing to maintain New Zealand’s reputation internationally. Looking ahead, he says the focus is on understanding market signals, adapting to global trends, and positioning New Zealand dairy for long-term value and resilience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 85 - Gains grow in the detail

  Simple, repeatable systems are proving to be a winning formula for North Otago couple Peter and Emma Smit. They spoke at a Pasture Summit field day earlier this year and shared just what those systems entail and how they achieve top-performing financial returns. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Peter about the low cost, pasture focused system that keeps their costs down and profitability high. The Smits have refined their approach to pasture management, focusing on residuals, grass quality, and a low stocking rate to maintain resilience through varying payouts. They also discuss their strategic mating plan, long term team stability, and how small, well executed changes continue to lift efficiency across the farm. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Peter Smit, Papakaio Peter Smit shares how a decade of development on his Papakaio farm in North Otago has shaped a simple, efficient system built for resilience and low costs. He explains how irrigation upgrades, layout changes, and pasture management, focused on quality, have contributed to strong financial performance and keeping farm working expenses low. Peter also outlines their low stocking rate approach. He discusses the farm’s two-herd mating strategy, achieving a six-week in-calf rate of 78%, and the value of a stable, experienced team in maintaining consistency. Looking ahead, he says the focus is on continuing incremental improvements, adapting with seasonal conditions, and keeping the system practical, sustainable, and efficient across all aspects of the farm. Read the article featuring the Smits here. For a copy of the field day handout https://www.pasturesummit.co.nz/2025-autumn-events and check out details for the upcoming spring events for the North and South Islands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 84 - Lincoln University Dairy Farm insights

  Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) is refocussing its strategy and making changes to several of its farm practices this season including the 10-in-seven milking regime, establishing and using plantain and its replacement rate policy. In this episode, Anne Lee catches up with Antoinette Archer from the South Island Dairying Development Centre (SIDDC) and LUDF manager Peter Hancox to review the changes and why they’ve been made. The farm will move to using flexible milking as a tactical tool in the shoulders of the season with the aim to boost milk production through a return to twice-a-day milking during the majority of the season. The farm has also moved away from using plantain as a pure sward and will aim for 10-20% in pastures to get some benefit from nitrate leaching reductions while improving ease of management. Overall the farm is aiming to make a 1% productivity gain year on year, be amongst the top 10% in terms of profitability and emissions efficiency and top 5% for lowest nitrogen leaching losses. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Antoinette Archer, SIDDC Peter Hancox, LUDF Farm Manager Peter Hancox talks about navigating a challenging spring at Lincoln University Dairy Farm, explaining how wet conditions, increased supplement use, and adjustments to milking, plantain, and replacement policies are designed to maintain cow health and productivity. He outlines how these strategies are being implemented to meet both production and research objectives. He reflects on lessons learned from adapting to variable conditions and making informed decisions underpinned by careful monitoring and planning. Looking ahead, Peter says LUDF is focused on optimising herd performance, enhancing pasture and forage management, and delivering the farm’s efficiency goal outcomes. Antionette explains the way LUDF is integrating research and practical farm management, and discusses the findings of GAP analysis by DairyNZ on the farm’s strategies. She outlines the thinking behind the refined strategies and the aims of the new approaches. She reflects on the value of evidence-based approaches, balancing research goals with day-to-day farm operations, and ensuring findings are practical and applicable for farmers. Looking ahead, Antionette says LUDF is focused on delivering actionable insights, improving animal and pasture performance, and strengthening the farm’s efficiency outcomes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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