DAIRY Country

A deep dive into the data on substitution rates based on real measurements reveals just how careful farmers need to be when it comes to budgeting on the returns from supplementary feeding. The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Dr John Roche shared his analysis at a Taranaki Pasture Summit field day in late 2025 and in this podcast episode he steps listeners through his findings, explaining substitution rates and the concept of marginal milk. Drawing on extensive research and practical examples, he outlines why more feed does not always translate to more profit, and how important it is to look at the real costs of the extra production.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Dr John Roche, Prime Minister’s chief science advisor

John outlines how concepts such as substitution rate and marginal cost underpin the true value of additional feed, and why focusing on average cost can mask the real cost of producing extra milk. He talks about how pasture utilisation, stocking rate and timing all influence the response to supplements, highlighting that higher input systems can increase costs faster than returns if not carefully managed. Alongside the technical insights, he emphasises the importance of system design, flexibility and clear decision-making, helping farmers weigh up when supplements are a tool for profit and when they risk eroding it.

Read the article featuring John here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/real-data-shows-real-costs/
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Lynaire Ryan from Agribusiness Education and Paul Bird from DairyNZ are focused on helping farmers build long-term wealth by improving financial understanding and making better use of the tools available within the dairy industry. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about the pathways available to farmers, how different operating structures support progression, and why the sector continues to offer strong opportunities for those starting out or looking to grow.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guests:
Lynaire Ryan, Agribusiness Education
Paul Bird, Senior business specialist, DairyNZ
Lynaire and Paul explain how principles such as profitability, return on assets and the power of compounding underpin successful wealth creation, and why being in the top half of performance is critical. They discuss practical steps including building a savings base, investing in high-performing assets, and using leverage carefully, while also outlining the importance of measuring progress through indicators like equity growth. Alongside the financial concepts, they highlight the role of skills, discipline and reputation in unlocking opportunities, and how consistent decision-making over time can lead to significant gains both on-farm and beyond.

Read the article featuring Lynaire and Paul here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/tools-for-growth/
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Watson and Charlotte Gray from Genez are focused on improving outcomes for dairy and beef farmers by turning dairy-origin non-replacement calves into a more valuable part of the system through better beef genetics. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about how the business has developed, where their genetics come from, and how they are working with both beef breeders and dairy farmers to lift performance across the supply chain.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guests:
Ben Watson, General Manager, Genez
Charlotte Gray, Genetics Business Manager, Genez

Ben Watson and Charlotte Gray explain why a more strategic approach to mating, maintaining calving ease and short gestation traits but with a much greater focus on growth performance, improves both on farm efficiency and downstream returns. They discuss the development of breeding programmes like Kakahu Stud’s composite Changus (Charolais x Angus), the role of data such as days to weaning and carcase weight, and how their latest catalogue is designed to help farmers make more informed decisions. They also outline practical considerations, including building a mating plan, improving traceability and accessing emerging premium programmes, while highlighting how advances in genetics, technology and market demand are creating new opportunities for dairy beef.
Find out more about Genez’s latest catalogue here: https://www.genez.co.nz/bull-catalogue-page

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Eldon and Roseanne Megaw have built a career in dairy through contract milking while steadily growing equity in property and farm partnerships. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the couple about their journey from early farm experiences and managing roles through to investing in residential property and stepping into an equity partnership at Aranui, a fully irrigated Canterbury farm.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guests:
Eldon and Roseanne Megaw, South Canterbury Farm Owners

Eldon and Roseanne Megaw explain how they balanced contract milking responsibilities with property management to diversify income and build financial resilience. Eldon and Roseanne discuss the strategies that have guided their success, including building strong relationships with farm owners and peers, maintaining efficiency and financial discipline, and creating systems and standards for their farm teams. They also share how patience, resilience and flexibility have allowed them to seize opportunities both inside and outside the farm gate, from investing in houses and subdivisions to exploring other income streams, all while staying focused on long-term goals and equity growth.
Read the article featuring Eldon and Roseanne Megaw from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/little-habits-build-big-equity/

Find out more about the Better pastures together podcast from Barenbrug here: https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Brix test may mean high sugar for the horticulture sector but when it comes to measuring pasture quality, farmers are being told to look to traditional feed quality analysis by scientists who have been looking into the measure. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Dr Beverley Thomson of On-Farm Research at Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay about her study comparing Brix as a measure of pasture quality with traditional laboratory based analysis including metabolisable energy (ME), drymatter (DM), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF).
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Dr Beverley Thomson, On-Farm Research

Brix has become increasingly popular with some farmers as a tool to give a simple and immediate measure of pasture quality with some citing it as a way to measure nutrient density for pasture. However, Beverely explains her study found high Brix levels in low quality pastures with higher DM and the measure was an unreliable indicator. She talks through the study and how it was set up using plots comparing conventional ryegrass/clover species with plantain/clover and with multi-species, diverse pastures. She details when the measurements were taken through the season and the results of the study.
Read the article featuring Dr Beverly Thomson from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/brix-might-not-be-best/

Find out more about the Better pastures together podcast from Barenbrug here: https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.