Show Notes
In this episode, Matt and Wade welcome Chris Lewis of Baker AG to explore the “sweet spot” in dairy systems and how top operators focus not just on producing more, but on converting resources more efficiently. Drawing on two decades of Dairy System Monitoring, Chris explains how benchmarking pasture, milk, and costs at 10-day intervals enables real-time planning, scenario modelling for feed shortages, and a clear view of how today’s decisions impact the season. Chris explains that effic...
More from Feed for Thought
How do you build a premium beef system that consistently delivers quality from paddock to plate? Matt and Wade are joined by Michael Schat of Wydeacres Wagyu Ltd to explore how his Canterbury feedlot operates and the systems behind a high-value Wagyu programme, run in conjunction with Southern Stations. Michael discusses the role of contracts in reducing risk, his journey from dairy farming to dairy-beef and Wagyu-cross cattle, and how every part of the supply chain contributes to the final p...
How can technology help farmers make better decisions without adding more complexity? In this episode, Wade and Grant are joined by large animal veterinarian and agri-tech advisor Krispin Kannan to explore how wearables, milk sensing technology, pasture measurement, and herd analytics are changing the way dairy farmers monitor performance and manage their businesses. The conversation looks at how data can uncover hidden issues, support better decision-making, and help farmers focus on the out...
What if there was a different way to manage calving that could reduce labour pressure, simplify farm systems, and significantly reduce the number of non-replacement calves? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by DairyNZ's Principal Scientist Paul Edwards to explore the concept of extended lactation and what it could mean for the future of dairy farming. The conversation examines how changing the traditional 12-month calving cycle affects herd management, labour requirements, farm effici...
How do you position your farm business for growth in an increasingly complex financial environment? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Scott Wishart, co-founder of NZAB, to unpack what really drives lending decisions and why strategy is one of the most valuable assets a farm business can have. The conversation explores how regulation has changed rural banking, what credit managers are looking for, and why clearly identifying risks and building a robust plan can make all the differen...
One of our most interesting podcasts yet! Cameron Bagrie, former Chief Economist at ANZ and now Managing Director of Bagrie Economics, joins Matt and Wade in this episode to discuss some of the most important strategic factors that New Zealand agriculture will face in the short- to medium-term. Cameron unpacks the global and local forces reshaping New Zealand's economy, from geopolitics and trade through to energy security, productivity, and inflation. The conversation explores why the ...