DAIRY Country

• Episode 79 - “Business as unusual.” Farming and trading in a changing world

  Anne Lee speaks with Jonathan Mason and Emma Higgins at the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) conference. Jonathan discusses US tariffs, trade dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and Fonterra’s strategic focus on ingredients, food service, and capital returns. Emma explores “business as unusual,” the changing trade landscape, global dairy and beef trends, supply shifts, and emerging opportunities such as beef-on-dairy. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Jonathan Mason, New Zealand United States Council Chairman, Zespri Independent Director. Emma Higgins, Rabobank Senior Agriculture Analyst. Jonathan Mason talks to Anne Lee at the NZIPIM conference about new US tariffs, their potential effects on New Zealand exporters, why impacts differ across sectors, and how changing trade dynamics could create opportunities with markets such as India, the EU and the UK. He also discusses global geopolitical tensions—from Ukraine to East Asia—and, as a former Fonterra Chief Financial Officer, shares his perspective on Fonterra’s strategic direction, including its focus on ingredients and food service and returning capital to farmers. He reflects on his career after Fonterra, and his governance roles with Zespri, Air New Zealand, Westpac and Vector, as well as his more recent not-for-profit work with the NZ US Council and the University of Auckland. Emma Higgins speaks about the concept of “business as unusual” in a rapidly changing global environment. She explains how geopolitical shifts, rising protectionism, and market uncertainty are reshaping trade, supply chains, and opportunities for New Zealand farmers. Emma explores what these changes mean for dairy and beef markets, highlighting how global supply, China’s domestic milk production, and strong demand across Asia are influencing milk prices and farmgate returns. She discusses supply trends and that the focus is now on New Zealand’s seasonal production as well as beef-on-dairy opportunities, alternative income streams for US dairy farmers, and the practical lessons for New Zealand producers navigating volatile markets. The conversation emphasises the need for clear-eyed analysis, strategic thinking, and seizing opportunity in uncertain times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 78 - Morrison Farming: Leading beef-on-dairy genetics

  In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with William Morrison from Morrison Farming about supplying beef genetics to the dairy industry. He explains how decades of performance recording have produced easy-calving, fast-growing cattle, why reliability matters most for dairy farmers, and what to expect from the upcoming Ardo Hereford sale on 23 September. Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Dairy Country Guest: William Morrison, Morrison Farming William Morrison talks to Sarah Perriam-Lampp about the history and evolution of Morrison Farming, a family business that has become a leader in beef-on-dairy genetics through its Ezicalve programme. He describes how decades of performance recording and selective breeding have created cattle that combine low birth weight and easy calving with high growth rates and strong carcass traits. He shares the lessons learned from working alongside dairy farmers under pressure, and why Morrison Farming has always prioritised genetics that reduce stress and support practical, on-farm results. With cattle now supplying dairy and beef operations across New Zealand and overseas, William explains how customer needs and science-based breeding have shaped the family’s approach. The conversation also explores the resilience required to maintain a long-term vision, how Morrison Farming has adapted to the rise of beef-on-dairy, and what farmers can expect from the upcoming Aro Hereford sale on 23 September. Find the Morrison Farming catalogue and sale information here: https://i4.abri.au/online/cgi-bin/i4.dll?1=3538292F&2=2928&3=56&5=2B3C2B3C3A&11=515E505D Find out more about Morrison Farming here: https://morrisonfarming.co.nz/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 77 - Mastering Mastitis

  In this episode, Anne Lee talks with North Canterbury sharemilkers Holly and Aaron Jackson about their dramatic reduction in mastitis early in their career and how they’ve managed to maintain award winning milk quality year after year ever since. They also share a very personal motivation for doing all they can to minimise antibiotic resistance. Holly and Aaron explain their use of innovative diagnostics so they can manage milk quality at a quarter level not just at an udder level. They share the practical systems they now use, from incubating their own samples to managing the herd pre and post-calving and at dry-off. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Holly and Aaron Jackson, Sharemilkers, North Canterbury Holly and Aaron Jackson talk to Anne Lee about the tough lessons they learned when mastitis hit their herd early in their sharemilking career in North Canterbury. They describe how rising cell counts and constant pressure to treat cows created huge stress and financial strain, forcing them to rethink the way they approached herd management. They looked to an innovative solution for identifying pathogens at a quarter level that meant connecting directly with microbiologists. That enabled them to gain a much clearer picture of what was happening in their herd and gave them the confidence to make faster, more targeted decisions and begin regaining control of milk quality. They explain the practical systems they’ve developed since, including incubating their own samples, refining calving management, and implementing on farm protocols that support both prevention and treatment. These changes have not only reduced mastitis dramatically but have also led to consistently low somatic cell counts and recognition through multiple awards. The conversation also delves into the resilience it took to keep going during difficult times, the mindset shift that allowed them to see challenges as opportunities, and how sharing their experiences has encouraged other farmers to take a more proactive approach. Holly and Aaron highlight that improving herd health is not about one big change, but a series of deliberate, practical steps that build towards long-term success, profitability, and pride in producing high-quality milk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 76 - Beef genetics in the dairy system

  Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Dr. Jason Archer, Head of Genetics, Beef + Lamb NZ Jason Archer talks to Anne Lee about the need for better integration of beef genetics into the dairy sector to create a more profitable and sustainable system for both dairy and beef farmers. He explains that tracking calf performance, genetics, and management practices along the value chain can help identify high-performing calves and ensure that value stays with them. He highlights the need for stable markets and collaborative approaches between dairy and beef sectors, noting that success requires both industries to work together to make calf rearing economically viable year after year. Practical tools such as recorded bulls, beef semen, and improved data flow are outlined to support farmer decision-making and long-term planning. The conversation also covers the potential for new opportunities within this emerging sector, including the benefits of lower carbon emissions for the final beef product. Find out more about nProve here: https://nprove.nz/#/homeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 75 - Bridging research and reality

  In this episode, Anne Lee speaks to Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub, and Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist at DairyNZ. Andrea provides a background on the farm’s history, how it’s set up, what’s on the agenda over the coming season and HubWatch - an easy to access, online way of getting the latest information from the Southern Dairy Hub. Dawn explains the latest side-by-side herd study which is comparing a “standard herd” run at a 3.1 cows/ha stocking rate with a”future herd” of high genetic merit cows run at a lower stocking rate of 2.9 cows/ha. She gives an update on the first season’s results and shares insights from other studies including research on wintering practices with interesting insights into the importance of soil wetness compared with pugging depth. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Andrea Dixon, General Manager, Southern Dairy Hub Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist, DairyNZ Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub in Southland, is overseeing the commercial scale, 349ha research dairy farm where a series of farm trials are running that are designed to test dairy systems which can remain profitable while reducing environmental impact. The farm is running a comparison between a standard herd and a high-genetic-merit, lower-stocked “future” herd to assess whether fewer, more productive cows can deliver better results. She explains that the Hub’s ability to have research that’s farmer-led and grounded in the realities of operating a commercial dairy farm can benefit Southern dairy farmers. By connecting scientists, industry and farmers, Andrea says it’s possible to fast-track the adoption of innovations that improve efficiency, animal welfare and environmental outcomes. She also outlines HubWatch, the farm’s weekly, online glimpse into the research and happenings at the Southern Dairy Hub which not only gives farmers up to date data but shares real time decision making processes as the farm’s management deals with local climatic variations and seasonal management situations. The farm’s focus on technology, use of drones to establish plantain and beef-on-dairy breeding policy for non-replacement calves are also discussed. Senior Scientist Dawn Dalley is leading research at the Southern Dairy Hub in Southland to test future-focused dairy systems that balance profitability with environmental stewardship. Drawing on her extensive experience in pasture management and farm systems science, Dawn is comparing a standard herd with a high-genetic-merit, lower-stocked “future” herd to see whether fewer cows can deliver more milk with less impact. She provides results from early stages of the studies and talks about the differences in wintering with the “future” herd wintered on pasture and balage. Dawn explains some of the interesting results from varying break sizes and outlines some of the management findings. The first milking season’s results show the “future” farm had higher per cow production and used less supplementary feed but due to the lower stocking rate, produced 150kg milksolids (MS) per hectare less. Environmental impact and financial data will also be analysed and reported on. Passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world farming, Dawn works closely with southern farmers to ensure findings are reported on in a practical, relevant, and farmer-driven way. She sees the Hub as a proving ground for innovations that could reshape how southern dairy farms operate, making them more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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