Pathways to Dairy Farming

Celebrating the Contribution, Leadership, and Expertise of Women in the Global Dairy Sector

In recognition of International Women’s Day and the UN‑declared International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), the International Dairy Federation (IDF) hosted a webinar celebrating the contribution, leadership, and expertise of women across the global dairy sector.  Women play a pivotal role in dairy farming, research, sustainability, and innovation. However, visibility, representation, and leadership opportunities remain uneven across regions. This webinar aims to elevate women’s perspectives, speakers will provide insights on how the sector can accelerate gender equality, strengthen women’s leadership, and support the next generation of women farmers worldwide.  For more information on the International Dairy Federation, please visit our website: www.fil-idf.org [https://www.fil-idf.org] and follow us on social media.  Webinar programme  * Welcome and Moderation - Marilyn Hershey - Chair of Dairy Management Inc.; IDF Board Member  * Overview of the International Year of the Woman Farmer - Mariola Acosta - Strategic Coordinator, International Year of the Woman Farmer; Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)  * Promoting Women in Agriculture: Shaping Gender‑Responsive Policy - Vanessa Kiely O’Connor – Irish Creamery Milk Supplier Association; Board Member of Women in Agriculture Stakeholder Group, Ireland  * Organising Women Dairy Farmers: Producer Associations, Services, and Voice in Policy - Paidamoyo Patience Chadoka - CEO, Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers  * Empowering the Next Generation in Agriculture: Youth & Gender Perspectives from Chile - Florencia Heinsohn - Manager of a family dairy farm, Chile Happy listening. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

Methane at Farm Level: What does methane mitigation really look like on dairy farms?

Hosts: Wilco Brouwer de Koning (the Netherlands) & Lynda McDonald (Australia)  What does methane mitigation really look like on dairy farms?  In this episode of the International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) podcast, farmer Wilco Brouwer de Koning and dairy sustainability advocate Lynda McDonald shift the methane conversation from headlines to on‑farm reality. Building on earlier discussions about methane and livestock, this episode explores how methane plays out across different dairy systems, and what current science, farm experience, and industry practice tell us about mitigation in real‑world conditions.  Guests  John Tauzel (USA) – Associate Vice President for Global Agricultural Methane, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) John works on advancing farmer‑centered methane solutions globally, with experience spanning environmental policy, agribusiness, and practical mitigation strategies across agricultural systems.  Tracy Brown (New Zealand) – Chair, DairyNZ  Tracy is a dairy farmer and Chair of DairyNZ, bringing a strong farmer‑led and industry governance perspective on how methane mitigation plays out in practice at farm level.  More information:  https://www.fil-idf.org https://www.dairynz.co.nz https://www.edf.org  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF, FIL-IDF).  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

Methane, problem or solution?

Methane: Problem or Solution Hosts: Wilco Brouwer de Koning (Netherlands) & Lynda McDonald (Australia) In this episode, we dive into the complex and often misunderstood role of methane in the climate conversation—especially as it relates to livestock. Farmer Wilco Brouwer de Koning and sustainability advocate Lynda McDonald guide a global discussion that moves beyond headlines to explore the real-life facts behind greenhouse gas emissions. Joining them are two leading voices in agricultural methane: * Frank Mitloehner, Ph.D., Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist at UC Davis, whose research focuses on sustainable livestock systems, air quality, and climate mitigation. * John Tauzel, Associate Vice President for Global Agricultural Methane at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), who brings expertise in environmental policy, agribusiness innovation, and farmer-centered climate solutions. Together, they unpack the science, the challenges, and the opportunities—asking whether methane is truly a problem, or part of the solution. More resources here: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/6375fc42-d57e-40db-93cc-9614fbb538c7/content  https://www.edf.org/ https://www.fil-idf.org Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

Too Hot to Moo: Beating the Heat in the Barn

🎧 "Too Hot to Moo: Beating the Heat in the Barn" 🔥 About: Are your cows feeling the summer sizzle? 🐄☀️ If milk yields are dropping, feed intake is down, and fertility’s taking a hit, heat stress might be the culprit. In this episode, we dive into the telltale signs of heat stress in dairy cattle and share practical strategies to keep your herd cool, healthy, and productive. From barn ventilation to hydration hacks, we’ve got the tips to help your cows chill out and your milk stats bounce back. In this globe-trotting episode, hosts Wilco Brouwer de Koning (NL) and Lynda McDonald (AU) are joined by world-renowned experts Israel Flamenbaum (IL) and Snorri Sigurdsson (DK) to unpack the physiological and economic toll of heat stress on dairy cattle. 🌍 Tune in for real-world experiences from farms across different regions, plus practical, science-backed strategies to help your cows stay cool and productive. For more information on the International Dairy Federation, please visit our website: www.fil-idf.org and follow us on social media. * Dr. Israel Flamenbaum’s website: https://www.cool-cows.com/ [https://www.cool-cows.com/] * IDF Bulletin N°534/2025: Managing Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle: https://shop.fil-idf.org/collections/publications/products/bulletin-of-the-idf-n-534-2025-managing-heat-stress-in-dairy-cattle [https://shop.fil-idf.org/collections/publications/products/bulletin-of-the-idf-n-534-2025-managing-heat-stress-in-dairy-cattle]  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

Pathways to Dairy Farming

What does it take to start a career in dairy farming? In this first podcast of the International Dairy Federation's (IDF) podcast, we explore the diverse journeys into dairy farming, from family succession to unconventional career changes. Hosts Wilco Brouwer de Koning (Netherlands) and Sam Tennent (New Zealand) are joined by farmers Sophie Gregory (UK) and Richard McIntyre (New Zealand), who share their unique experiences in building successful dairy operations. Whether you're from a farming background or entering the industry with no prior experience, this episode offers valuable insights into different farming models, challenges, and opportunities across the globe. For more information on the International Dairy Federation, please visit our website: www.fil-idf.org and follow us on social media. Guest bios Sophie Gregory (UK) – Tenant Dairy Farmer Sophie didn’t plan to be a farmer, but after supporting her husband’s dream, she fell in love with dairy farming. Now, she runs a successful operation in the UK under a farm business tenancy model and advocates for new entrants in farming. Follow her on Instagram instagram.com/farmer_in_training [https://www.instagram.com/farmer_in_training?igsh=ZWczNnQ5OHpncXM4] Richard McIntyre (NZ) – Herd Owning Sharemilker Originally set on a career in accounting, Richard’s gap year on a dairy farm changed everything. Now a herd-owning sharemilker in New Zealand, he uses split calving and land leasing to build resilience in his operation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).