Inside Dairy August-October 2026
This edition of Inside Dairy explores how farmers are building stronger, more resilient businesses through better breeding, smarter pasture management, practical science and future-focused thinking.
Featuring the inspiring story of Tataiwhetu Trust, practical insights on genetic gain, spring management tools, resilient pastures, dairy-beef opportunities, and the economics behind supplement use. Discover research, advice and farmer experiences you can apply on-farm.
How this Māori trust built an award-winning organic farming operation for its people
Tataiwhetu Trust saw its people leave the land as it was being leased out to others. This is the inspiring story of how they took back control of the land and went on to win the Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2021.
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Just Quickly
'Just quickly' snippets from the August-October 2026 edition of Inside Dairy
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Testing more resilient pastures on-farm
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
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Genetic gain drives herd productivity, year by year
Herd-owning sharemilkers Tania and Johno Burrows know that building a more valuable farm system starts with getting the fundamentals right and improving the genetics of their herd with tools that help make the right decisions.
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The hidden cost of chasing extra milk
To understand the cost of marginal milk – the milksolids produced from extra supplementary feed – Northland Dairy Development Trust led a multi-year trial, supported by DairyNZ and other partners.
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Unlocking new dairy beef opportunities
Further research into extended lactation systems and mating strategies aims to give dairy farmers more options to increase the proportion of calves suited to beef production.
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Further training sharpens top manager’s skills
Taranaki dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen says learning to question feed costs and pasture decisions through a Dairy Training course has improved both her confidence and on-farm decision-making.
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Budget reviews help spot pressure early
Regularly reviewing your budget throughout the season can help to ease cashflow pressure and keep options open when conditions change.
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Support that makes a difference
The Rural Support Trust’s team is part of the community, so they understand the local challenges, conditions and needs. Local support is just a phone call away.
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Farmer honoured for waterway mahi
Learning about how things once were and being inspired by what they could be, is what drove this award-winning farmer to reconnect people with a local waterway.
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New $46m investment for dairy’s future
Lifting productivity and reducing the dairy sector's environmental footprint is the focus of a new multi-partner initiative.
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Entries open for next year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy
Prestigious awards recognise excellence in Māori farming as well as up-and-coming young farmers. In 2027 it’s dairy’s turn for the honours.
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DairyNZ’s DAiSY takes you one step further
Other AI chat tools can be helpful for quick orientation and clear summaries, but when you need advice tailored to New Zealand farming conditions, access to a trusted, research-led source of information is essential.
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What separates the best-performing dairy farms in a high-cost era?
The 2024-25 season was one of the most profitable in a decade, but in a high-cost era, the best farms stand out for what they can control.
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