Episode 115 - From banking billions to dairying dream

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 underpins her business and the management decisions that have helped her build a profitable farming operation. Host: * Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: * Charlotte Aitken, West Coast Dairy Farmer   Charlotte discusses how she transitioned into the dairy industry later in life, working her way through farm roles before purchasing her own farm on the West Coast of the South Island. She explains how her background in finance influences the way she manages costs, production and investment decisions, and shares insights into breeding strategies, facial eczema management and maximising value from every calf born on the farm. Charlotte also talks about adopting virtual fencing technology, trialling new ideas and why she believes innovation and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking are key to long-term success. Read the article from the Autumn 2026 issue of DAIRY Country here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-banking-billions-to-dairying-dream/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-banking-billions-to-dairying-dream/] Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 wintering strategy and the management decisions made to prepare for the year ahead. Host: * Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: * Antoinette Archer, Partnership and Demonstration Lead, LUDF * Peter Hancox, Farm Manager, LUDF   Antoinette Archer explains that LUDF finished the season slightly below its milk production targets after two consecutive wet years created difficult growing conditions for the farm’s pasture-based system. She says wet spring conditions reduced pasture utilisation and increased the need for supplementary feed, while weed pressure and lower dry matter content in some paddocks affected the amount of feed cows were able to harvest. Antoinette discusses the farm’s production results, nitrogen use, feed inputs and the steps being taken to improve pasture quality and performance heading into next season. Peter Hancox discusses how weather conditions shaped management decisions throughout the year, from reduced irrigation demand during a wet summer to increased supplement use during a cold, dry autumn when pasture growth slowed significantly. He also explains LUDF’s approach to drying cows off based on condition score, winter grazing management and preparing the herd for calving. The pair also outline plans for LUDF’s upcoming Focus Day that’s being held off farm, where farmers will hear about pasture-based wintering systems, benchmarking opportunities and practical lessons from both LUDF and other Canterbury farming businesses. Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 Andrew Morphew about the rapid spread of the disease, its impact on dairy businesses and the urgent need for coordinated vaccine programmes and national response planning. Host: * Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: * Steve Moss, Sharefarmer and Hub Manager overseeing seven dairy farms for management company Just Milk * Georgie Muller, Dairy Junction and Pinion Advisory * Andrew Morphew, Colbourne Farming and spokesperson for FMD Response South Africa   Georgie Muller explains how Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has historically been contained to specific endemic regions in South Africa, but in recent years has spread into major commercial dairy areas with severe consequences for farmers. She says the virus is difficult to control because it is present in wild and communally owned animal populations. Once in dairy herds it spreads rapidly, causing mastitis, lameness, calf losses and major production challenges. Georgie says this latest, large-scale outbreak has hit farmers hard, and highlighted gaps when it comes to the roll out of vaccination programme across large communal and commercial farming regions. Steve Moss shares firsthand experience from his dairy businesses after FMD spread through several of their farms earlier this year. He says the outbreak caused catastrophic calf losses, widespread mastitis and major milk production declines, while also placing enormous emotional and physical pressure on farm staff and management teams. Steve says vaccination has shown promising results in reducing the severity of outbreaks, but ongoing vaccine shortages and delays continue to leave many farms exposed to further infections. Andrew Morphew says FMD Response South Africa was established as a farmer-led organisation to push for faster, more coordinated action from government and industry. He says the current vaccination rollout is not happening quickly enough to effectively control the disease and argues South Africa needs large-scale vaccination campaigns completed within tight timeframes to reduce viral spread. Andrew says farmers, private veterinarians and industry groups all need to play a role in the response if the country is to regain control of the outbreak and protect the long-term future of its livestock industries.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 speaks with Tony Dodunski from Ag Assist and Mitchell McLaughlin from MyNativeForest about how their businesses are helping farmers navigate labour shortages, rural commerce and the growing complexity of environmental markets. Host: * Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: * Tony Dodunski, Ag Assist * Mitchell McLaughlin, MyNativeForest   Tony Dodunski explains how AgAssist was created during the COVID border closures when many farms were struggling to source staff, leading the business to develop a platform connecting employers with part-time and under-utilised workers. He says the platform has expanded well beyond recruitment into a broader rural marketplace where farmers can buy and sell machinery, livestock and services, while also promoting rural events and businesses. Tony says AI features built into the system help streamline the process by automatically generating listings, CVs and product descriptions, making the platform quicker and easier for farmers to use. Mitchell McLaughlin says MyNativeForest is focused on helping farmers turn native forestry into a financially viable part of their farming business by accessing carbon markets and environmental schemes. He says many landowners have areas of regenerating bush or marginal land that could generate long-term returns, but the complexity of carbon rules and project setup often discourages people from exploring the opportunity. Mitchell says the business works to simplify the process by managing the technical, legal and environmental requirements, while helping farmers understand where voluntary carbon markets and native forestry projects may provide stronger commercial outcomes. Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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 Chris Lewis from BakerAg, Jamie Cunninghame, National Dairy Specialist at PGG Wrightson, and Trudi Ballantyne from Stem Rural about what’s driving current cow values, what it means for farm business decisions, and why understanding both market conditions and tax settings is becoming increasingly important. Host: * Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: * Trudi Ballantyne, Stem Rural * Chris Lewis, BakerAg * Jamie Cunninghame, PGG Wrightson   Chris Lewis says confidence is strong across the sector, underpinned by solid milk returns, strong beef prices and relatively favourable feed costs. He says demand is currently being driven largely by farmers looking to top up herds with smaller numbers of quality cows, rather than full herd purchases, while strong prices are also encouraging trading activity. Chris adds that high cow values are creating equity-building opportunities for existing owners and share milkers, but careful attention to debt levels and downside risk remains essential. Jamie Cunninghame, National Dairy Specialist at PGG Wrightson, says the market was sparked early by conversion demand and has remained consistently firm through the season, with strong competition for quality cows. He says good in-calf heifers and dairy cows are generally trading between $2800 and $3300 a head, with occasional higher outliers depending on quality and scale. Jamie also notes that strong cull cow and beef schedules are helping underpin overall confidence, while farmers who build into larger operations progressively tend to carry less risk than those entering through full herd purchases at current prices. Trudi Ballantyne from Stem Rural says rising cow values make livestock accounting and tax planning increasingly important, particularly when it comes to understanding the National Standard Cost Scheme versus the herd scheme. She steps listeners through both schemes and explains that the scheme a farmer is on, along with the timing of livestock sales, can have a significant impact on tax outcomes, especially in periods of rising values. Trudi stresses that working with an accountant who truly understands livestock valuation is critical, as incorrect treatment or poor timing decisions can lead to unexpected and potentially large tax liabilities.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ [https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.