DAIRY Country

Skim milk powder has long been the by-product of the dairy world, but strong global demand for protein has turned it into one of the main drivers of the market. Anne Lee speaks with HighGround Dairy’s Stu Davison about the forces behind the latest Global Dairy Trade jump of more than 4%. They cover skim milk powder prices topping US$4000/t for the first time since 2022, and why milkfat prices are falling while powders are rising.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Stu Davison, HighGround Dairy

Stu explains how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, protein-enhanced foods and the shift towards milk protein concentrate and ultra-filtered milk have tightened global skim supplies. He also explains why the Middle East bought its largest GDT volumes since 2012. Speaking from Singapore after visits to Indonesia and China, he shares what he saw on the ground: falling milk production in China, cautious Chinese consumers, and new desert dairy farms in Inner Mongolia and Algeria that New Zealand will have to compete with. Anne and Stu also discuss Europe’s surprisingly resilient milk supply, the growing stocks of butter, and milk price futures trading above $10/kgMS. Stu explains the role of the weak Kiwi dollar and the risk to prices if El Niño doesn’t cut milk supply as much as the market expects. He also makes the case for a disciplined hedging policy over trying to pick the market.

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Entries for the new season of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards opened on October 5, and outgoing National Committee Chair Maegan Legg joins Anne Lee to talk about how the programme has helped launch farming careers, from expert judges’ feedback to the networks entrants build.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Maegan Legg, Committee Chair, New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards

Maegan shares how entering the awards in 2020 helped her and husband Terry set goals beyond sharemilking, leading to the purchase of a 56-hectare block of land. She explains how preparing an entry strengthens communication and planning on farm, and how the awards have evolved, including the extended age range for Dairy Trainee of the Year and the new Alumni of the Year and First Farm awards. With national committee positions opening up, she also has advice for anyone on the fence about entering. “Just do it.”

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A record dairy production season coupled with last year’s increase in the levy farmers pay to DairyNZ boosted the organisation’s income to more than $90m, Anne Lee speaks with DairyNZ CEO Campbell Parker about how the organisation is investing farmers’ money, rebuilding reserves and deciding where funding is needed most across research, science, farmer engagement and industry programmes.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Campbell Parker, CEO, DairyNZ

Campbell shares details on DairyNZ’s major areas of investment, including its resilient pastures, dairy beef opportunities and the responsible dairy programmes. He explains work being carried out in biosecurity, DairyBase, genetics and farmer training along with how farmers are using AI (artificial intelligence). Campbell talks about how DairyNZ ensures there are robust checks and balances around research and co-funded programmes, and why farmer feedback will be important as the organisation develops its strategy for the next five years.

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Profitability in dairy farming comes down to getting both sides of the equation right, and Hugh and Anna Edward have built a system around tight cost control, strong pasture management and making every kilogram of feed count. Anne Lee speaks with the Putaruru couple about their journey from sharemilking to owning two adjoining farms, running 650 cows across 350 hectares and running separate, his and her, Jersey and Friesian herds through the season.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guests:
Hugh and Anna Edward, South Waikato Farmers

Hugh and Anna discuss how they manage their first grazing round and the focus they have on driving intakes of high quality pasture by closely monitoring both pre-grazing covers and post-grazing residuals. They use supplements judiciously to get a high milksolids response for every kilogram of bought-in drymatter and have a strong focus on buying fed in at the best possible price. They explain what’s behind their impressive six-week in-calf rate of 84% with planning for that starting early in the previous autumn.

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Tatua Cooperative chairman Steve Allen is stepping down after nearly 30 years on the board, including a long tenure as chairman. Anne Lee speaks with Steve about his journey from farming a small 160-cow herd to growing his farming business and becoming involved in the governance of one of New Zealand’s smallest and most specialised dairy co-operatives. They talk about the decisions that allowed Tatua to remain independent through deregulation and the formation of Fonterra.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Steve Allen, retiring Tatua Co-operative Chairman

Steve discusses the thinking behind Tatua’s decision to stand alone, the co-operative’s focus on adding value to farmers’ milk and its disciplined approach to growth, investment and retaining earnings. He also reflects on the importance of leadership and culture, the role of the board in choosing a chief executive and allocating capital, and why he remains positive about the future of New Zealand food and dairy.
Find out more about the Better Pastures Together podcast by Barenbrug here: https://barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.