Public articles

In this episode, Louise Cook, Fonterra’s Environment Programme Lead for On-Farm Excellence, unpacks how farmers boost efficiency while cutting emissions in a major industry project showing farmers can cut greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen surplus without sacrificing profitability. She explains the practices that lift efficiency with homegrown feed utilisation is the standout lever, and how top farms turn the same inputs into far stronger outputs.

What’s driving smarter, more strategic weaning decisions?

In this episode, Andrew Dowling, Technical Expert - Animal Production at PGG Wrightson, breaks down how to avoid costly weaning checks, and the practical steps farmers can take to keep lambs tracking forward while protecting ewe condition for their next tupping.

What are the key drivers behind New Zealand’s 47% reduction in antibiotic sales?

In this episode, Dr Annabel Harris, Chair of the NZVA’s Antimicrobial Resistance Committee explains how cross-industry collaboration and learnings internationally have helped shape on-farm practice of antibiotic use to protect New Zealand farmers from the threat of antibiotic resistance.

Weaning is a critical period for lamb growth rates. They can easily falter if not timed correctly. Andrew Dowling, Technical Expert – Animal Health at PGG Wrightson, offers practical solutions to help avoid a weaning check that doesn’t bounce in your back pocket. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

For two rural communities, the lyrics of an iconic Slim Dusty song, A Pub with no Beer, came mighty close without their loud cry to avoid last call. Renowned as heartland New Zealand in both islands, the Waikaka and Hunterville locals dug deep to ensure their towns mainstay would remain. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Daniel Judd’s interest in soil management grew from his experience as a conventional dairy farmer and curiosity about evolving sector practices. His 2025 Kellogg’s Report explores the ‘soils gap’, showing how science, commerce, and culture shape decisions across conventional, regenerative, and organic systems.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Daniel about what drives differences in farmer approaches, challenges in soil science funding, and how beliefs, trust, and experience influence decisions. He also shares how self-learning, collaboration, and critical thinking can boost soil health and profitability in a changing sector.

Hildreth Romneys is a multigenerational Hawke’s Bay stud focused on breeding resilient, productive sheep suited to New Zealand’s diverse conditions. With more than 60 years of Romney breeding behind them, the Hildreth family continues to prioritise key traits like fertility, survival, growth, and tolerance to facial eczema and worms.

In this episode, stud breeder Marcus Hildreth joins Jo Scott to discuss how genetics, data, and emerging tools such as AI are helping lift flock performance. He also shares insights on the growing interest in Wiltshires; why he’s keeping the breed pure, and how technology and time remain the most powerful drivers of genetic progress.

Dr Jordi Hoult’s interest in leadership grew from her military family upbringing and her own experiences navigating the food and fibre sector. Her Kellogg research shows that many mid-career people in their 30s to 50s are ready to lead but face barriers that stop them from taking opportunities, leaving a “missing middle” in sector leadership.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Jordi about what’s creating this gap, why mentorship is often more valuable than formal courses, and how the sector can better recognise, support, and develop the people who will shape the future of food and fibre in New Zealand.

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.