Feed for Thought

In this episode, Kyle Gardyne, Pioneer Seed Applied Technology Manager, sits down with Matt and Wade for the launch of a new seed-applied biological treatment. In maize production, the foundations for yield and feed quality are set early. Establishment influences crop uniformity and ultimately determines how well a hybrid expresses its genetic potential. With spring conditions becoming increasingly unpredictable, securing a strong, consistent start for your business has never been more important. Learn how Lumidpat can help improve early plant vigour and establishment in challenging conditions.

Dr Grant Matthews, our new Farm Systems Manager for the South Island, joins us in this episode to bring his perspective to a question many dairy farmers are asking: how do we build farm systems that stay productive, simple, and resilient?
Grant shares his background and the shift from large-animal veterinary work into dairy nutrition and farm systems, explaining why focusing on what goes into the cow can change everything downstream. We get specific about the South Island, from Canterbury through to Southland, where maize silage and maize grain are becoming more realistic options thanks to shorter-maturity maize hybrids.
This episode serves as an introduction to Dr Grant Matthews and sets the scene for practical farm systems conversations. If you’re based in the South Island and interested in getting in touch with Grant, you can find his contact details at www.pioneer.co.nz/contact-us/find-your-local-pioneer-rep

How do you run a high‑input dairy system that performs without burning out your people or drowning in feed complexity? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Nic and Kirsty Verhoek to unpack how they’ve kept a high‑input system productive while simplifying the ration, lowering risk, and protecting time. They walk through the numbers behind the change, using Feed Checker to compare diets on ME, protein, and cost, and explain how they’ve built a stable maize‑based ration with flexible protein and energy on top. 
The team explain how lifting pasture and silage quality has helped protect milk production, how wearables and smartphone tools reduce key‑person risk and support better decision‑making, and what “no hungry minutes” really means for cow performance and condition. They also dive into liveweight targets, tightly controlled young stock growth, and the breeding and welfare decisions behind polled genetics and a future without bobby calves.

What does it take to run a 1,000‑cow free stall barn system in New Zealand while keeping milk solids, cow health, and staff workload on track? Matt and Wade sit down with Arjun Singh of Lawwal Holsteins to unpack the realities of running a large-scale free-stall operation, from feeding and effluent management to staff routines and daily decision-making. Arjun explains to achieve over 800 milk solids per cow from his autumn herd requires attention to detail, tight targets, and good data. 
The conversation covers how maize silage is the backbone of a TMR diet, rations are adjusted using milk dockets, milk urea, and wearable data. We also dive into Lawwal Holsteins' breeding strategy, combining North American genetics with NZ index lines. Arjun also speaks to their upcoming event “Land at Lawwal”, an on-farm sale, open day, and fundraiser happening on Friday, April 24. For more information, visit https://issuu.com/lawwalholsteins/docs/_land_at_lawwal_by_lawwal_holsteins.

In the first official episode of Season 4, Matt and Wade sit down with James and Debbie Stewart of Stewart Dairylands, a fifth‑generation family farm that has been operating in Hiwinui (Manawatū-Whanganui region) for more than 120 years. Together the team explore the farm’s evolution from sheep and beef to a high‑performing dairy operation, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship, succession planning, and building a resilient future for the next generation. 
The Stewarts run an 850‑cow herd across linked platforms, utilising grass and silage, targeted in‑shed feeding, and a feed pad, all supported by smart technology such as collar systems, milk quality apps, and real‑time data to guide daily decisions. James and Debbie also share their involvement alongside family, with Hiwinui Country Estate, a boutique lodge offering luxury accommodation, events, and weddings.  
This episode delivers insights into how the Stewarts are shaping Stewart Dairylands in to forward‑thinking farming business. 
Find out more about Stewart Dairylands at www.stewartdairylands.nz