DAIRY Country

• 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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• Episode 74 - Mental health, meat and market gaps in a farmer’s mission

  In this episode, hear from LeAnne Blakelock - a Taranaki dairy farmer turning a long-standing challenge into a high-value opportunity by launching a rose veal brand from her non-replacement calves. Drawing on her background in accounting and food production, LeAnne explains how she and husband Ian use targeted genetics and growth programmes to produce high-welfare veal. She also shares insights on calf care, rural mental health, and the need for stronger links between the dairy and beef sectors. Hosts: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor in Chief, Country-Wide Sheryl Haitana Guest: LeAnne Blakelock, Taranaki dairy farmer Taranaki dairy farmer and former corporate accountant LeAnne Blakelock is rethinking the role of non-replacement calves in New Zealand’s dairy sector, launching a rose veal brand that turns a perceived byproduct into a high welfare, premium meat. Drawing on her background in food production and financial analysis, LeAnne has developed a system that combines sexed semen, nominated beef genetics and accelerated growth programmes to maximise productivity from her Jersey cross herd without compromising animal wellbeing. She explains how a focus on epigenetics, low stress environments and transparent supply chains has allowed her to rear calves through to six month carcasses of 130 to 140kg, with most of the meat sold through niche channels like gourmet butchers and high end restaurants. Alongside on-farm innovation, LeAnne is a passionate advocate for better calf rearing education, having learned the hard way through years of trial, error and personal stress. Her platform Calf Chronicles now offers practical advice and peer support for rearers around the country. LeAnne also shares her insights into mental health in rural communities, drawing from her volunteer work with the Taranaki Retreat. She highlights the importance of building social networks and industrywide empathy, particularly during the demanding calving season. Looking ahead, she sees opportunity in closer collaboration between the dairy and beef sectors, more equitable value chains and the use of contracts to reduce volatility. She is calling for mature, solutions focused conversations to unlock the full potential of dairy beef in New Zealand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 73 - How farmers, science and media shaped NZ’s dairy story

  In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to mark 100 years of dairy innovation. From the early days of walk-through sheds to today’s AI-enabled systems, they explore how farmer-led ingenuity, scientific research and trusted rural media like Dairy Exporter have driven progress on pasture-based farms. Buy the Dairy Exporter 100 Year Collector’s Edition 2025 here Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Guest: Dr John Roche, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser, New Zealand Government The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser, Dr John Roche, reflects on 100 years of dairy innovation, tracing the sector’s evolution from walk-through milking sheds in the 1920s to today’s data-driven, pasture-based systems. He explains how Kiwi farmers, researchers, and rural media like Dairy Exporter have worked together over generations to solve practical challenges and lead the world in efficient, low-cost dairy production. John unpacks pivotal shifts, from the adoption of rotational grazing and advances in herd testing to the integration of genetics, AI and automation, highlighting how a science-backed, farmer-led approach has driven productivity while strengthening environmental stewardship. He outlines how policy, co-operative models, and a long-term mindset have helped balance profitability with resilience. Looking forward, John sees opportunity in systems thinking, continued R&D, and smarter use of on-farm data to future-proof the sector, ensuring New Zealand dairy remains globally competitive and socially sustainable for decades to come. SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - MAGAZINE ($89/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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