Public articles

WormFec Gold is a national breeder group working to combat drench resistance by selecting sheep with genetics for lower faecal egg counts, cleaner back ends and strong growth, helping farmers reduce drench use while maintaining performance.

In this episode, Waikato breeder and WormFec Gold spokesperson Kate Broadbent joins Jo Scott to explain how genetics, collaboration and farmer education are reshaping parasite management. She outlines the difference between resistance and resilience, why measuring matters, and what commercial farmers should be asking their ram breeders if they want to future-proof productivity, animal health and drench effectiveness.

Witnessing the stress of sheep farming in Southland as a child led Steve Clarke to a career as a helicopter pilot before returning home to the dairy farm. He and wife Hayley are on a mission to ensure that farming creates a balance of work and life for their family and staff.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Steve about his journey from sheep and beef to dairy, the lessons learned through early challenges, and how smart infrastructure, genetics, and people management have shaped their success. They discuss balancing high performance with wellbeing, maintaining team morale, and keeping family life at the centre of farming.

Headwaters is a producer group that supplies premium New Zealand lamb through their own brand Lumina Lamb. The 95 farmers in joint venture with Alliance Group breed sheep that deliver genetics, performance, and premium eating quality from hill country to plate.

In this episode, Headwaters CEO Steve Brown and Breeding Manager Tara Dwyer join Jo Scott to discuss how genetics, collaboration, and market connection are driving value across the Lumina supply chain. They explain how a science-based approach and close farmer–chef relationships are building both a stronger breed and a trusted premium brand.

How can farmers get the most from irrigation without wasting water or damaging equipment? IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor Stephen McNally explains how preparation, planning, and smart decisions make all the difference as the season begins.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Stephen about practical steps from anchoring and mechanical checks to developing a wind plan and understanding consent conditions. They discuss a “just-in-time” approach, record-keeping, maintenance, and long-term water storage for more efficient and resilient irrigation.

A shared drive to improve genetics is at the heart of the Shedding Sheep Improvement Group, where breeders nationwide are working together to lift performance and reduce workload in shedding sheep.

In this episode, Daniel Wheeler, Group Manager of the Shedding Sheep Improvement Group, joins Jo Scott to discuss how a collective of breeders is driving genetic progress for shedding sheep across New Zealand. He explains how the group’s collaboration, sharing data, genetics and ideas, is helping to lift performance and reliability in this fast growing sector.

How can sheep and beef farmers see forestry as more than a binary choice between full plantation and traditional farming? New Zealand Institute of Forestry consultant Peter Handford explores how integrating trees can enhance overall farm management, improve profitability, and deliver environmental and animal welfare benefits.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Peter about the practical and economic aspects of forestry on sheep and beef farms. They discuss modelling different forestry options, the opportunities for carbon and timber income, and how thoughtful planning can make trees a strategic part of a resilient, well-balanced farm system.

A focus on dual-purpose genetics is at the heart of Romani Farms, where Ross and Ruth Richards run 700 hectares in the King Country.

In this episode, Jo Scott talks with Ross about breeding resilient Coopworth and Wiltshire flocks built on decades of selection for facial eczema and worm tolerance, structural soundness, and low-input performance. He reflects on their progress, the transition to maintenance-free Wiltshires, and how balancing data with practicality has produced robust, high-performing sheep suited to real-world farming conditions.

As new wearable technologies for animals have surged in popularity, specific advice on the use of them within the dairy sector is to be included in an imminent review of the Animal Welfare Code: Dairy Cattle.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Dr Matthew Stone, veterinarian and Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), about the review of the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare and how rapid technological change is reshaping animal care standards.

No one can deny the numbers of a declining national lamb crop with the over-capacity of processing plants set to collide as the day of reckoning looms closer for New Zealand’s red meat sector. Words Tony Leggett.

Focusing on shedding composites has reshaped farming at Waitohi Peaks, where Andrew, Sara, Digby and Guy Heard run stud and commercial flocks on North Canterbury hill country.

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with the Heards about their shift to shedding composites, the workload and cost savings, genetic progress, and the opportunities they see for building more resilient and profitable sheep systems.