Podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the farmer-owned industry organisation representing New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers.
Finding our talents and growing our wellbeing are key strategies to handling the challenges of life. On a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farming for Profit webinar, Doug Avery shared this practical look at how you find great ability to grow your life and your business. Doug also gave tips on helping others who are doing it tough.
Recorded live at a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Marlborough Farming for Profit Field day, this debate is a light hearted and amusing discussion on whether to measure farm production on a per head or per hectare performance. Starring Ian Knowles, Jo Grigg, Fraser Avery, and Dr Anne Ridler, facilitated by Greg Sheppard
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Will Meads, Senior Relationship Manager ANZ. Will discusses how to get into an equity growth pathway to achieve farm ownership.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Sarah Barr, Coach Approach Rural, to talk through ways to highlight future pathways for growth and upskilling along each stage of a farming career. Her key topics include communication, mentoring and where to start with staff and people management.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Boyd MacDonald, GM Lonestar Farms to talk through his career pathway, advice around how to make the most of your career opportunities in order to climb the ladder and how Lonestar Farms approaches supporting farm staff in training and career progression.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
After the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Jamie Fitzgerald to talk through tackling the big challenges. Jamie is a modern-day adventurer who has walked unaided to the South Pole, holds the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, fronts television documentaries First Crossings & Intrepid NZ and is CEO of consultancy business, Inspiring Performance.
This panel discussion recorded live at B+LNZ’s FarmSmart Conference 2021 was facilitated by Denise Bewsell with four farmers from different Action Groups who discussed the changes they have made to their businesses as a result of being part of the programme.
To find out more about B+LNZ Action Groups, visit https://beeflambnz.com/action-groups
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Richard Parkes is a partner at Cavell-Leitch and a leading legal expert in Agribusiness matters. Richard also has a particular interest in assisting farming families with farm succession plans and asset protection structures. He spoke to the 2021 FarmSmart conference about where farm succession usually goes wrong, and the keys to getting it right
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Dave Clouston was born and bred in the Mackenzie Country, farmed in a family partnership, went through succession, development and a turn as a Monitor Farmer, before a serious farm accident changed it all. Dave talks about facing change and adversity, and how he has learned that people are more often a product of their choices rather than the challenges they have faced.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Jana Hocken worked as an engineer with global giant Toyota, and saw the value of their remarkable ‘lean thinking’, continuous improvement practices and culture. Since 2017 Jana has helped to bring lean concepts to farming, implementing lean on her family’s 1,000 cow dairy farm in the Manawatu. She has founded The LeanFarm Project to help create awareness of lean in farming and joins us to discuss what it is and how NZ farmers can benefit from it. Find out more at her website https://www.leanfarm.nz/
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fraser is the Chair of the B+LNZ Northern South Island Farmer Council, and the Avery family farm ‘Bonavaree’ at Seddon, Marlborough. Fraser talks about their model for resilience, including the importance of people, learning, communication, taking time for yourself, and having pride in what you do.
Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University, discusses managing ewes through pregnancy and lambing during a challenging winter. Key points covered: Foetal aging to target feeding levels and prioritise mobs; Ewe feed intake and demand during pregnancy and lambing; Pre lamb shearing advantages and disadvantages depending on timing; Early weaning of lambs.
Triple Drench Resistance is here, and every month it will affect more farms. Farms without it should do everything they can to prevent it, but if it happens there are still options. We are joined by Sam Johnston, Hamish Blundell and Mike Cranstone who each farm properties with Triple Drench Resistance. They tell us how it arose, what they are doing about it, and the progress they have made. For more information about drench resistance, head to www.wormwise.co.nz
On this RMPP conference call from 16 November 2016, we discuss facial eczema – its causes, and how farmers of sheep, cattle and deer can avoid, remedy or mitigate its impacts. Robert Carter is Chair of the Facial Eczema Working Group that brings together sheep, beef, deer and dairy industries, and Dr Neale Towers has worked on FE matters for most of his career. As well as detailed discussion of the fungus that causes the problem and the risk factors, we discuss what farmers should be monitoring for pastures and animals, and the methods that are proven to make a beneficial difference.
In 2020, over 3500 people visited a farm on an open day to see what happens behind the gates. In 2021 the Open Farms day is back and will be bigger and better. Founder Daniel Eb talks about why the programme was created and what it achieved in just one year, and talks about what the farmers taking part gain from the experience as well as the value to our industry. For more information and to sign up, check out Open Farms website , and have a listen to our previous podcast on the things attendees got from the day On Farm experiences build support for farming On Farm experiences build support for farming
B+LNZ Environmental Policy Manager Corina Jordan outlines the environmental opportunities facing the sector and the work the team is doing to help farmers navigate regional and national policy changes.
Former Beef + Lamb New Zealand innovation farmers Matthew and Shona Tayler farm 5600ha Lorne Peak Station near Garston in Southland. With a balance of steep hill country and stony flats, Lorne Peak has undergone a transformation to a highly productive breeding and finishing operation. During their tenure as Innovation Farmers, the couple utilised a combination of Lucerne and annual clovers along with changes to both beef and sheep management to drive levels of beef performance and profitability previously thought to be unattainable on Lorne Peak. Matthew charts aspects of the journey reflecting on the drivers of change and how a team approach has provided confidence to speed up the process.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Following the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference join Southern South Island Extension Manager Olivia Ross as she takes a look back at hogget lambing over the past 10 years and how hogget lambing can be part of your farming operation. She is joined by Agribusiness Consultant Deane Carson and Southland farmer Geordie Eade sharing their experiences.
For more information check out B+LNZ’s hogget lambing guidebook “Hogget Performance: Unlocking the Potential”
Guest speaker Blair Nelson who, along with his wife Anna, farms 1,100ha of hill country in the King Country. The couple were Beef + Lamb New Zealand Innovation Farmers and sought to lift profitability on their cultivable land by $200/ha. Focusing on specialist forages, they generated average post-weaning lamb growth rates of 240 g/day. While primarily used for lambs, this feed was also used for growing out hoggets and had a profound effect on their farm system. They believe that this focus on feeding sets the potential for the life-time performance.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Southland farm consultant Graham Butcher was a speaker at the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference. He discusses some of the practical farming strategies and lessons that can help increase the percentage of lambs finished off ewes at weaning and lift your profitability and productivity.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
As farmers and growers, social media is useful to tell our stories and also to interact with the general public and urban counterparts. Following the 2020 Beef + Lamb NZ Progressive Ag Conference Rowena Duncum, Executive Producer of “The Country” and Southland farmer Ben Dooley discuss how we can use social media to its best effect and the do’s and don’ts to be successful.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Central Otago farmer Ben Trotter gave a practical overview of profitable bull beef finishing to the 2020 Beef + Lamb NZ Progressive Ag Conference. He discussed how you could make a system like his work for your business
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Independent forestry consultant Stuart Orme spoke at the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference. He discusses how multiple uses of plants/trees can add value to a farming operation and reduce overall farm emissions without a negative impact on the normal farm business.
For more information check out these resources:
https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/trees-farm.pdf
https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/one-billion-trees
Today we celebrate our 100th Scene + Herd podcast, and soon we will reach 100,000 unique downloads!
Rob Davison, who has been at B+LNZ for over 40 years talks about why the Economic Service was formed back in 1950, how they go about their job and what they provide for our red meat industry. Much of the information from the Farm Survey is available for you to use, free of charge, from our website or on request.
We posted our first podcast back in April 2016, and quickly learned that it is a great way for farmers to tune into interesting topics while keeping busy on-farm. We’ve covered everything from farm Health and Safety to consumer preferences in China, but hearing from farmers and other experts in farm management is one of the main reasons for the channel. If you’re a new listener or long-term, swipe to check out the most popular interviews.
Are you wondering what the recent proposed changes to Otago’s water and waste plans might mean for you? Are you thinking about making a submission?
Join Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Olivia Ross on this podcast to hear from Lauren Philips, B+LNZ Environmental Policy Manager for the South Island about the latest Otago Regional Council Plan Change and what this will be mean for farmers. Two plan changes to the Otago Regional Plan have been notified by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) which will affect drystock and dairy farmers in Otago – the Omnibus Plan Change (PC 1 and 8) and Plan Change 7 (Deemed Permits). (The Omnibus Plan Change has two names, with the other name being the Water Quality Plan Change).
Check out our webpage for more information
Did you know that 50% of accidents on farm happen after 3pm? And that there are 3 simple steps you can take to dramatically reduce the impact of some of the most common accidents? Al McCone is Engagement Lead at Worksafe, and joins us for an update to his earlier podcast (link below). As well as some fascinating stats about when accidents occur and why, he discusses 3 key things Worksafe recommend to give farmers a ‘softer landing’ in the event of an accident: seatbelts, Crush Prevention Devices (CPDs) on quad bikes, and devices that can autonomously send a signal for help. In the longer term, Al suggests we start looking at how we work to see if there are changes we can make to reduce the probability of incidents occurring.
Al’s earlier podcast is here: Farming Health and Safety
Details about ACC’s support for the costs of CPDs is here: Helping to buy crush protection devices for quad bikes at work
In the third podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty) tell us about some of the things that can go wrong, how to get the messages out to the community and others, and answer a range of questions from listeners.
For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage
More background on the farmer speakers and their groups
Susan Kilsby became ANZ Bank’s Agriculture Economist in late 2018. As NZ arguably faces the toughest economic situation since World War 2, Susan discusses how the primary industry can prepare our businesses to be resilient to economic downfall. She will also touch on trends seen in other sectors and future predictions for the second half of 2020.
Trevor Cook from Totally Vets Manawatu is well-known by farmers around the country for his work in farm consultancy, extension and research.
In this call, Trevor will share his knowledge and insights for fine tuning your animal health plan following the dry autumn and heading into lambing and calving.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
In the second podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum, we get advice, tips and tricks for setting up and operating a Catchment Community Group. Hear from Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty)
For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage
More background on the farmer speakers and their groups
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
In this first podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum, we talk with a group of farmers about their groups, why they were formed and what they are doing. Hear how CCGs are about so much more than just water from Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty)
For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage
More background on the farmer speakers and their groups
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Kerry Harmer and her husband Paul farm Castleridge Station in the Ashburton Gorge and were concerned about the economic loss associated with lamb wastage, as well as the animal welfare implications.
Determined to address the issue, the couple have set up a lamb-rearing system – which includes automatic feeders – that minimises lamb losses and generates a profit of $50/head (including labour costs). Kerry was a popular presenter on Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Ladies’ Virtual Muster and joins Regional Associate Briar Huggett to discuss the Harmers’ journey and tips and tricks she has for other lamb rearers.
NZAgBiz Feed guide for calves, lambs and other animals
Artificial lamb rearing - Managing abomasal bloat
The second podcast in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Taranaki Farming for Profit Lifting Sheep Productivity series features Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences at Massey University. Paul has led a considerable amount of sheep research focused on improving on-farm productivity and profitability and is a key contributor to many of B+LNZ’s resource booklets and factsheets.
In this podcast, Paul discusses taking care of ewes through pregnancy, making sure their feed needs are met for health, welfare and productivity.
For more information, check out our resource book “A Guide to Feed Planning for Sheep Farmers”
You can also watch the video of Paul’s presentation with his slides.
At the age of 10, Hannah knew she wanted to work with food, and a few years on she is doing exactly that. Little did she know that moving to London and beginning her butchery apprenticeship would lead to a life focused on sustainability and zero-waste eating. Ten years and six continents later she is known as the lady of “A Lady Butcher”. Her passion is creating purposeful meats from New Zealand products and to create truly local charcuterie. Hear her inspiring journey as she joins Beef + Lamb NZ Southern South Island Extension Manager Olivia Ross to discuss how starting a business was for her along with how to get the most out of NZ meat products.
Check out Hannah’s webpage 'A Lady Butcher’ along with the Meat Business Women - the professional networking group for women working in the meat industry
The first of this Beef + Lamb New Zealand Taranaki Farming for Profit Lifting Sheep Productivity series features Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences at Massey University. Paul has led a considerable amount of sheep research focused on improving on-farm productivity and profitability and is a key contributor to many of B+LNZ’s resource booklets and factsheets.
In this podcast, Paul shares many of his insights and key performance indicators for a high-performance sheep system.
For more information, check out our resource book “Make every mating count”
In early 2020, the first Open Farms day was held, with 45 farms welcoming non-farming visitors. The “Our Land and Water National Science Challenge” surveyed those visitors to find out their thoughts about the opportunity and on farming in general. We’re joined by Senior Social Scientist at AgResearch Dr. James Turner to discuss the survey findings, what it means or could mean for farming in New Zealand, and also to talk about the work of the National Science Challenges.
Our Land an Water National Science Challenge
(Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand)
Fourth-generation North Canterbury farmer Andy Fox has personally experienced and beaten the “down side” of stress and knows the difference the support of others can make when times are tough. Over the last 30 years, Andy has created 40 top lessons from his farming experiences. In this presentation for the B+LNZ Southland Farming for Profit ‘Strategic Pathways to Success’ seminar he discusses some of his key tips and how you can apply them in your business.
(Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand)
Every week is changing when it comes to combating feed shortages and planning for future is as crucial as ever to ensure that feed levels come spring are adequate. In this presentation for the B+LNZ Southland Farming for Profit ‘Strategic Pathways to Success’ seminar, Deane takes us through some strategies to consider as we head into the winter and coping with excess stock numbers.
Part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Farming for Profit Hot Topic series.
Hayden Trotter is Principal Partner at Allan McNeill Chartered Accountants in Feilding. In this podcast, he shares his accounting knowledge and insights in-light of the current drought and Covid-19 pandemic, discussing the Government subsidies, tax considerations, and highlights COVID-19’s impact on the local commercial sector. Raised on a farm, Hayden’s strength is his ability to understand farming, working with many farming families and businesses across the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
‘Meat the Need’ is a charitable programme to supply high quality red meat to families in need in New Zealand. We’re joined by the people behind the charity, Siobhan O’Malley and Wayne Langford, to discuss how it works and where the idea came from, why more farmers should take part and what they can do to support it.
For more information, check out the article on B+LNZ’s website and visit the programme’s website. You can also follow Meat the Need on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Lambs born to ewes with udder defects are 3 times more likely to die, and those that survive will be about 2kg lighter at weaning on average. Anne Ridler is Associate Professor of Sheep and Beef Cattle Health and Production at Massey University, and on this podcast she discusses how a simple udder check can significantly improve productivity of a flock. We discuss the research, when to check udders and what to look for.
For more detail, check out the video and factsheet:
Storyteller, author, company director and ‘once a farmer’ – Doug Avery is well known for the transformation of his farming business and, just as significantly, his personal transformation. He joins us to talk about his advice for farm families in this time of crisis, including how to see the silver lining and how to share the load. For more detail, check out his article on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand website, and his website where you can find a copy of his book.
Doug’s Resilient Farmer website
On this Drought Drop in Briar Huggett discusses financial planning and decision making through a drought, COVID-19 and in to the future with Dan Billing, ANZ Senior Relationship Manager and Sean Stafford, ANZ Regional Manager (Wairarapa/Tararua).
For resources on getting through a drought follow this link to the Beef + Lamb drought resources.
Blake is an animal proteins and sustainability analyst with the RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness team. He joined B+LNZ’s ‘Hot Topic’ webinar series to provide a market outlook and Covid-19 update for the red meat sector, and an overview of what developments to watch in the weeks and months to come. For more information from Rabobank: https://research.rabobank.com/far/en/home/index.html
Ginny Dodunski is a Senior Vet with Totally Vets, Taumaranui. In her 1st podcast she discussed issues for sheep flocks in autumn and early winter. This week in Part 2 she shares her advice on looking after cattle in autumn and winter, whether calves, drystock or pregnant cows and heifers. Internal parasites are a hot topic again, Cooperia and Liver Fluke in particular. As well as the possibility of trace element deficiency, Ginny stresses the value of monitoring and testing to find the cause. As always, many animal health challenges start with nutrition and Ginny reinforces the need for Body Condition Scoring for cows too. Plus much more!
Links:
Ginny’s article
The Wormwise resource book
The Wormwise learning module
Beef Cow Body Condition Scoring
Totally Vets’ Poisonous Plants & Toxic Compounds webpage
We’re joined by Plant and Food Research’s Brendon Malcom and Shane Maley, for an update on their research into catch crops – annual crops sown after winter forage crops that may reduce N leaching. They discuss the key success factors such as early sowing, using the right equipment, getting a good plant population (and how to do that), and, ironically, where a dressing of N fertiliser can also help. Plus, they update us on their research, including work done in Southland, and much more.
Their previous podcast is here: https://beeflambnz.podbean.com/e/catch-crops-a-way-to-reduce-n-leaching-after-winter-crops-with-dr-brendon-malcolm-plant-food-research/
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
We’re joined by Hugh Good, B+LNZ’s Global Market Intelligence & Research Manager, to discuss the initial impact of COVID-19 on the behaviour of consumers in China, and what it means for our beef and sheepmeat. Some fascinating findings about what is happening as China comes out of the pandemic, including demand for red meat, changes in buying and eating patterns, and a boost for beef in comparison to pork. What does this mean for NZ exports, and will the impacts be long term? Plus, the value of social media as a source of market intelligence.
[EDIT: originally it was reported that wet market lockdown would be nationwide, this was amended later to only the closure of wet markets selling wild animals - others remained open. The podcast has been edited to reflect this.]
For more information, read our article here https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/growing-interest-beef-and-sheepmeat-china The full report is available at that link (PDF 2MB)
Ginny is a Senior Vet with Totally Vets, Taumaranui, well known in sheep and beef circles throughout the North Island for her animal health work, her research and her involvement in B+LNZ extension activity. She joins us to talk about some key issues for sheep farmers in any autumn, but in particular when feed is tight. We talk about internal parasites in lambs, what it takes to get a good lamb from a good hogget that becomes a good 2-tooth, and the value of Body Condition Scoring for ewe flocks.
Links:
Ginny’s article
The Wormwise resource book
The Wormwise learning module
Ewe body condition scoring module
Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand
As we head into winter in a ‘normal’ year, it’s the time to set up for next spring and summer. This is especially important when feed supply is affected by weather events such as drought, and in 2020 is compounded by restrictions on processing and sale yards. Lee Matheson is an agribusiness consultant and Managing Director of Perrin Ag. He joins us to discuss his priorities for farm businesses at this time of year, including sticking to plans, making objective decisions on the most profitable use of feed in front of us (rather than feed already eaten), setting a ‘drop dead’ date (and what that means), the opportunity to re-examine goals and objectives, and much more.
In our second chat with Tom, following on from his ‘Tactics for Tough Times’ advice, we talk about longer term farm management. Tom’s advice is simple – stick to the basics. But what does he mean by that, and what are the basics? We talk about understanding animal requirements, managing complex sheep and beef systems successfully, feed planning, assessing pastures and feed, and much more.
To find the feed planning resources Tom refers to, visit https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/feed-budgeting
