Fraser Tasker has spent the past several years refining a grass-based wintering system on his Mid Canterbury dairy support block, replacing traditional fodder beet and kale wintering for his mixed-age cows. Anne Lee speaks with Fraser about what prompted the change, how the system operates and the practical lessons he's learnt along the way.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Fraser Tasker, Canterbury farmer

Fraser was one of three farmers who spoke at a Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) focus day along with scientists studying pasture based wintering systems for the South Island. Anne and Fraser discuss some of the information shared at the focus day and dig more deeply into Fraser’s dairy operation. He explains how the cocksfoot pastures and separate fescue dominant pastures are managed and the improvements he’s seen in animal health and welfare, simplified management and nitrogen losses. He discusses how he balances multiple stock classes on the support block, costs of the system and why he believes grass wintering works for his situation.

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Dr Ajmal Khan has spent more than a decade researching calf rearing, investigating how early-life nutrition and management influence the health, productivity and lifetime performance of dairy animals. Anne Lee speaks with the Bioeconomy Science Institute scientist about his latest research into colostrum management, milk feeding and pre-weaning growth, and why getting those first days and weeks right can have lasting benefits for calf health, milk production, longevity and farm profitability.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Dr Ajmal Khan, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Ajmal explains why collecting calves early and feeding high-quality "gold" colostrum is critical for successful passive transfer of immunity, before sharing findings from his long-term New Zealand research that followed calves through their first four lactations as cows. Anne and Ajmal also discuss the importance of feeding adequate milk during the pre-weaning period, the impact of early growth rates on lifetime milk production, practical weaning strategies and the role of automatic calf feeders. Together they explore how small management decisions during a calf's first weeks can deliver significant gains in animal welfare, productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes.

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Karen Fraser has spent years helping dairy farmers improve calf rearing through practical, science-based advice. Anne Lee speaks with the Farmlands Technical Specialist and Calf Experts co-founder about the foundations of successful calf rearing, from colostrum management and the five Qs of colostrum to early-life nutrition and milk feeding.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Karen Fraser, Technical Specialist, Farmlands

Karen explains why collecting calves early, feeding high-quality "gold" colostrum and maintaining excellent hygiene are critical for successful passive transfer of immunity and healthy calves. Anne and Karen also discuss the latest recommendations around feeding higher milk volumes in early life, choosing and using calf milk replacers, practical weaning strategies and the importance of developing the rumen while maintaining strong growth rates. They also explore common calf-rearing mistakes, from colostrum handling to tubing and electrolyte use, and share practical tips to help farmers raise healthier, more productive animals from day one.

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Extended lactation is emerging as a potential option for dairy farmers looking to reduce labour pressure, improve flexibility and significantly cut the number of non-replacement calves being born each year. Anne Lee speaks with DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards about the research behind the system and the results emerging from farmlet trials at Scott Farm and a new study in Northland.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Dr Paul Edwards, Senior Scientist, DairyNZ

Paul explains how a 24-month calving interval works in a pasture-based system, where half the herd calves in alternate springs, and discusses its impacts on milk production, feed demand, profitability and cow performance. He also shares insights into the opportunities extended lactation could create for replacement rates and beef-on-dairy, and why researchers believe the system is worth continuing to explore as a future option for some New Zealand dairy farmers.

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Willesden Farms is a diverse Canterbury farming business, spanning more than 6,500 hectares across Banks Peninsula, Kaitorete Spit and the Canterbury Plains. Anne Lee speaks with General Manager Matt Iremonger about the evolution of the farming operation, its recent dairy expansion and the role innovation is playing in improving both productivity and environmental outcomes.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Matt Iremonger, Willesden farms

Matt discusses the development of an 800-cow composting barn in Kaituna Valley and explains why the system was chosen to help manage challenging weather conditions, protect soils and improve animal welfare. He shares insights from the farm’s first season using the facility, including how it performed during significant rainfall events, the opportunities it creates for nutrient management and feed utilisation, and the role it plays in supporting the wider farming system. Matt also talks about Willesden Farms’ long-standing commitment to biodiversity, extensive native bush restoration projects, partnerships with local rūnanga and how the business balances environmental stewardship with strong commercial performance across its dairy, sheep and beef enterprises.

Read the article from the Winter 2026 issue of CountryWide here: https://country-wide.co.nz/truly-integrated-farming/

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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/

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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.

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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.

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