How do you continue improving farm performance when expansion is no longer an option? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Taranaki dairy farmer Andy Slater to explore how a focus on pasture utilisation, feed management, and clear farm systems has helped lift productivity while keeping the operation simple and enjoyable to run. Andy shares why Jerseys remain the foundation of the herd, how maize silage fits into the feeding system, and why spring nutrition starts well before mating.

The team also discuss the benefits of in-shed feeding, managing cow condition and health, and the role automation has played in creating a more efficient dairy operation. From upgrading to a rotary shed designed for one-person milking through to refining feeding and farm management systems, Andy shares practical lessons on improving productivity, efficiency, and milk solids performance.

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 product.

The team unpack the practical realities of feedlot management, from shed design and bedding systems through to feeding programmes focused on marbling and animal performance. They discuss cattle nutrition, target liveweight gains, manure and nutrient recycling, and how tools like maize silage yield mapping can support feed security and on-farm efficiency.

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 outcomes that matter most: production, reproduction, and animal health.

The team discuss the practical application of herd data, including rumination monitoring, cycling rates, mating performance, transition management, and body condition scoring. Krispin also shares his thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence in ag and how AI could help farmers and advisors connect data from multiple sources to identify opportunities and challenges more efficiently. If you're interested in technology, herd performance, and the future of data-driven farming, this episode is well worth a listen.

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 efficiency, and overall system performance.

The team discusses findings from DairyNZ's extended lactation research, including the 24-month calving interval being trialled at Scott Farm and the opportunities and challenges of managing cows at different stages of lactation. Paul also shares insights into flexible milking, animal welfare, technology adoption, and the role data and wearables could play in future farm systems. If you're interested in challenging traditional thinking and exploring practical solutions to some of the dairy sector's biggest challenges, this is an episode worth tuning into.

To find out more about the study visit, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/research/science-projects/extended-lactation-study/ or to receive updates on DairyNZ’s extended lactation research, sign up to their newsletter at: Website: Extended Lactation registration of interest

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 difference when seeking funding.

The team also discuss the growing role of non-bank finance, private credit, equity partnerships, and other capital solutions available to farmers looking to grow, invest, or navigate change. Scott shares insights into succession planning, the challenges of funding long-term opportunities that sit outside traditional banking frameworks, and why patient capital may play an increasingly important role as farm ownership transitions over the coming years. To learn more about NZAB, visit www.nzab.co.nz.

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 rules that have guided growth in recent decades are changing and what that means for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities. The team discuss why Cameron believes the rural sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery and what needs to happen to maintain that momentum. They explore the importance of reducing energy costs, continuing to invest in infrastructure, and ultimately increasing productivity, while also creating an environment that encourages the next generation to take and manage risk.

How do you keep an arable farming business profitable in an environment of changing markets, tightening regulations, and unpredictable weather? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by David Birkett, Canterbury arable farmer, to explore how he uses data, irrigation, and a simplified cropping system to make better decisions and build resilience into his operation. David shares how his rotation balances productivity with practical constraints like harvest timing, soil traffic, and seasonal risk.

The team unpack David’s approach to nutrient management, including organic matter testing, nitrogen mass budgeting, and simple on-farm strip trials to validate decisions. They also dive into precision agriculture, discussing the value of yield monitoring, satellite imagery, and variable rate applications, and why understanding the numbers remains critical for decision-making. David also shares insights from his governance roles with FAR and Federated Farmers, covering seed certification, traceability, biosecurity, research funding, and the future of New Zealand’s arable sector.

What goes into developing the maize hybrids and forage products farmers rely on every season? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Andrew Powell, Head of Portfolio & Research, to explore the journey from paddock to portfolio and the years of research, testing, and decision-making behind every bag of Pioneer seed. Drawing on his upbringing on a Taranaki dairy farm and a career spanning forage, sales, marketing, portfolio management, and seed production, Andrew shares how Pioneer develops products for New Zealand farmers.

The team unpack the realities of modern plant breeding, from global germplasm sourcing and predictive breeding technologies through to the extensive testing processes used to identify products suited to New Zealand conditions. They explain how farmer feedback, research, and seed production work together to shape the hybrids and forages available years into the future.

Andrew dives into the challenges of balancing breeding priorities, why genetic trade-offs are unavoidable, and what it takes to deliver products that perform in the paddock. If you've ever wondered how new hybrids make it to market and what the future of seed development looks like, this is an episode you won't want to miss.