Scene + Herd: Podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

We’re joined by Bill Garland who farms at Maungatautari in the Waikato and Dr Katherine Tozer, Senior Scientist at AgResearch, to talk deferred grazing. Around for many decades in different forms, it’s gaining more popularity as a way to transfer feed from spring to autumn/early winter, to regenerate pastures and to cut down on diesel, seed and cropping/regrassing costs.  Could it have a place in your system? For more details, check out the deferred grazing information on B+LNZ’s Factsheet [https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/deferred-grazing.pdf], DairyNZ’s Deferred Grazing page [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dairynz.co.nz%2Ffeed%2Ffundamentals%2Fdeferred-grazing%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cnikki.botha%40beeflambnz.com%7C5f0b09a704b84fcc681108ddb29a43ce%7C86a17c5953f04879ae2a81a4457ca402%7C1%7C0%7C638863097843384841%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eX8A%2FKUPxp5o8Fbj5ZVQy9pPSYxDApn798%2Bqf0M1%2BAA%3D&reserved=0] and AgResearch’s guide book. [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.agresearch.co.nz%2Four-research%2Fdeferred-grazing%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cnikki.botha%40beeflambnz.com%7C5f0b09a704b84fcc681108ddb29a43ce%7C86a17c5953f04879ae2a81a4457ca402%7C1%7C0%7C638863097843402382%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NRNAeMlYQUh8GM1Aj5HVJc0kjJQW1pIaJs9pykx0u0k%3D&reserved=0] This research was supported by AgResearch, DairyNZ, MPI, Ellett Trust, Ballance Agri-nutrients, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and especially the many farmers who contributed their time, paddocks and expertise.

Tools, tech and tactics to make every blade count – Industry-renowned beef expert Bob Thomson (AgFirst) and farmers Ben Trotter (Luggate) and Matt Tayler (Garston) share practical tools, proven tactics, and tech insights to boost efficiency and profit in beef systems—including a look ahead at the role of wearables in the future of farming.  Recorded on the B+LNZ Central Otago Farming for Profit “Grass to Gold” webinar, 16 June 2025

Breeding hoggets can be a smart way to lift overall lamb numbers - but only if it’s done right. In episode two of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, we’re diving into hogget lambing. The Country’s Rowena Duncum sits down with Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University and Riverton farmer Geordie Eade, to talk feed planning through lactation, scanning strategies, health considerations, and the long-term impacts of breeding ewe hoggets. Whether you're already breeding hoggets or just considering it, this episode is packed with practical advice to help make the right decisions on-farm.

Pregnancy scanning offers more than just lamb counts - it’s a powerful management tool that can lift lamb survival and save on feed. In episode 3 of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas from Massey University.  They explore how to make the most of scanning - from identifying ewes needing extra support, to improving feeding strategies and pinpointing lambing dates. If you want to turn scanning results into real productivity gains, this episode is for you.

Getting more lambs on the ground, and through to weaning, takes more than just good luck. Optimising Lamb Survival, a new podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, shares practical tips and proven strategies to lift lamb survival and productivity. In part one, The Country’s Rowena Duncum chats with Dr David Stevens from AgResearch about feed planning, ewe nutrition, and the key factors that make or break your lambing success.