

Episode 115 - From banking billions to dairying dream
West Coast dairy farmer Charlotte Aitken has taken an unconventional path to farm ownership, moving from a career in international banking in London to running her own dairy farm near Karamea. Anne Lee speaks with Charlotte about her journey into dairy farming, the financial discipline that underpi…

Episode 114 - What happened at LUDF this season?
Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has completed another challenging season, with wet spring and summer conditions affecting pasture utilisation, feed management and production across the farm. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Antoinette Archer and Peter Hancox about the season, the farm’s w…

Episode 113 - South Africa’s fight against Foot and Mouth Disease
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most serious biosecurity threats facing livestock industries worldwide, with South Africa’s recent outbreak highlighting the devastating impact it can have on commercial dairy farms. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Georgie Muller, Steve Moss and Andr…

Episode 112 - AI & carbon opportunities for farmers
Technology, AI and environmental markets are creating new opportunities for rural businesses and farmers, with platforms designed to simplify recruitment, trading and carbon projects becoming increasingly relevant across the sector. In this episode from the Wānaka A&P Show Agri Exchange, Anne Lee s…

Episode 111 - What rising cow prices mean
Cow prices and livestock values are front of mind across the dairy sector right now, with strong market demand, rising confidence and shifting tax implications all shaping decisions for farmers buying, selling or expanding herds. In this episode of the Dairy Country podcast, Anne Lee speaks with Ch…

Episode 110 - Inside modern dairy conversions
There’s been a lot of talk when it comes to the new wave of dairy conversions but what’s really going on in terms of design and fitout? In this episode Anne Lee speaks with Tambo consultant Luke Palmer about what setups farmers are favouring, what they should be aware of when planning and what cos…

Episode 109 - Designing the dairy farm of the future
The Science for Farmers tent at the Wānaka A&P Show this year gave farmers a great chance to see and hear about a wide range of research as well as ways that’s being implemented on farms. Dairy Country Podcast host Anne Lee was there and talked to Danny Donaghy of Massey University, Pāmu’s Head of …

Episode 108 - Alerted by the collar, saved by the vet
A closer look at how wearable technology is reshaping animal health highlights just how quickly on-farm decision making is evolving, and why early intervention is becoming increasingly achievable. Veterinarian at Kaipara Farm Vets, Rory Dean, unpacks a real-time case study, explaining how collar da…

Episode 107 - The drench resistance wake-up call
The episode is dedicated to the late Dr Dave Leathwick, AgResearch parasitologist, scientist and champion for the battle against drench resistance. A closer look at drench resistance in dairy systems highlights how rapidly conventional parasite control methods are becoming less effective and why f…

Episode 106 - Real data shows real costs
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 fiel…