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.

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.&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
Hosts:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor in Chief, Country-Wide</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana</li>
</ol>
Guest:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">LeAnne Blakelock, Taranaki dairy farmer</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Taranaki dairy farmer and former corporate accountant LeAnne Blakelock is rethinking the role of non-replacement calves in New Zealand&rsquo;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.

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.