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.

 

 

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In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister&rsquo;s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to mark 100 years of dairy innovation.&nbsp;
From the early days of walk-through sheds to today&rsquo;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.
<a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/dairy-exporter-100-years/">Buy the Dairy Exporter 100 Year Collector&rsquo;s Edition 2025 here</a>
&nbsp;
Hosts:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter</li>
</ol>
Guest:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Dr John Roche, Prime Minister&rsquo;s Chief Science Adviser, New Zealand Government</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
The&nbsp; Prime Minister&rsquo;s Chief Science Adviser, Dr John Roche, reflects on 100 years of dairy innovation, tracing the sector&rsquo;s evolution from walk-through milking sheds in the 1920s to today&rsquo;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&amp;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.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER&nbsp; - <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)</a>
SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER&nbsp; - <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/">MAGAZINE ($89/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.