DAIRY Country

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
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/
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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.

In this episode, Anne Lee sits down with Stu Davison of HighGround Dairy to unpack the sharp turnaround in global dairy markets and what is driving the recent surge in prices on the Global Dairy Trade platform. Drawing on his day-to-day market analysis, Stu explains why strong global milk production has not translated into weaker prices and how sentiment, geopolitics and supply chain disruption have shifted the tone of 2026.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guest:
Stu Davison, HighGround Dairy

Bringing both global perspective and practical insight to the discussion, Stu breaks down the unusual strength in skim milk powder, the narrowing gap with whole milk powder and the role of protein demand in tightening supply. He outlines how Chinese buying patterns, trade tensions with Europe, Middle Eastern uncertainty and energy market volatility are layering complexity onto already interconnected markets. It is a clear-eyed conversation about volatility, risk management and why, in a year like this, budgeting for uncertainty may matter more than trying to outguess the market.

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.

In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Jordain Beattie and Louise Gibson who break down what successful sharefarming really looks like and what it takes to build equity through contract milking and sharefarming pathways. Together, they unpack the realities behind the numbers, the importance of setting clear goals and how strong planning can help farmers step confidently into business ownership while managing risk and maintaining long-term sustainability.
Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
Guests:
Jordain Beattie, Client Director, NZAB
Louise Gibson, Co-Founder, The Sharefarming Consultants

Jordain brings a financial and strategic lens to the conversation, sharing why understanding your numbers is about far more than budgeting. She says setting clear equity goals, tracking business performance and planning for tax and reinvestment can help farmers stay on track and make confident, informed decisions as opportunities arise.
Louise shares practical, on-the-ground insights into the operational and contractual side of sharefarming, including managing labour, understanding agreement details and recognising potential risks around herd ownership and contract structures. She highlights the value of asking questions, seeking professional advice and surrounding yourself with the right support network to help build a resilient and rewarding farming career.

Read the article featuring Louise Gibson and Jordain Beattie from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/what-does-sharefarming-success-look-like/

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.

In this special episode, Sarah sits down with Andrew MacPherson and Cara Sheridan to unpack the arrival of Bovillus Cryptium, a new vaccine for calves targeting cryptosporidiosis, and what it means for farmers managing calf health in New Zealand. The discussion sets the scene for why this vaccine is a game changer, how it can improve calf welfare and long-term performance, and why proactive planning with your vet is key to getting the most from it. With spring 2026 calving approaching, now is the time to understand how to integrate this new tool into your farm systems.
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Guests:
Andrew MacPherson, Technical Advisor, MSD Animal Health
Cara Sheridan, Ruminant Technical Vet Manager, MSD Animal Health

Andrew MacPherson from MSD Animal Health New Zealand explains how the vaccine works by stimulating maternal antibodies for passive transfer to calves, reducing the risk of disease and improving growth outcomes. He outlines practical advice for farmers on administration timing, integrating the vaccine with existing protocols like Rotavac Corona, and the importance of planning early with their vets to maximise its benefits.

Cara Sheridan, MSD’s Ruminant Technical Vet Manager in Ireland, shares insights from the vaccine’s use in Ireland since mid-2024. She highlights the positive impact on calf health, reduced labour, and improved farm management, alongside the importance of quality colostrum and effective calf-rearing practices. Cara’s experience demonstrates how this preventive tool can reduce reliance on antibiotics while supporting animal welfare and performance, offering practical lessons for New Zealand farmers.
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