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Feed for Thought

Pioneer Brand Products NZ

59 episodes

2 weeks ago

Join us for a special podcast celebrating 50 years since the signing of the seed production and distribution agreement between Pioneer® Hi-Bred International Incorporated and the Yates family. We’re joined by our Founder Philip Yates, Managing Director Will Yates, and Raewyn Densley to reflect on this 50-year journey. We follow the story from importing maize genetics to building a domestic seed production facility and partnering with Gisborne growers to produce New Zealand grown maize seed. R...

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Join us for a special podcast celebrating 50 years since the signing of the seed production and distribution agreement between Pioneer® Hi-Bred International Incorporated and the Yates family. We’re joined by our Founder Philip Yates, Managing Director Will Yates, and Raewyn Densley to reflect on this 50-year journey. We follow the story from importing maize genetics to building a domestic seed production facility and partnering with Gisborne growers to produce New Zealand grown maize seed. R...

Show more...

Episodes (20/59)

Feed for Thought

The Yates Family Story: Celebrating 50-years of Pioneer in New Zealand

Join us for a special podcast celebrating 50 years since the signing of the seed production and distribution agreement between Pioneer® Hi-Bred International Incorporated and the Yates family. We’re joined by our Founder Philip Yates, Managing Director Will Yates, and Raewyn Densley to reflect on this 50-year journey. We follow the story from importing maize genetics to building a domestic seed production facility and partnering with Gisborne growers to produce New Zealand grown maize seed. R...

2 weeks ago

33 minutes

Feed for Thought

Breaking away from average: James Allen on what sets top farms apart

In this episode, Wade and Matt sit down with James Allen, CEO of Ag First, to unpack three decades of insights from the dairy sector. Drawing on long-term financial data, James explores the gap between average and top-performing farms and how small, targeted changes can lead to impactful improvements. From micro-improvements to smarter decision-making, James delves into the numbers of average farms versus the top 20% performers, outlining the gains that can be made by breaking away from being...

1 month ago

44 minutes

Feed for Thought

Setting your maize crop up for success with Dr Rowland Tsimba

As spring approaches, maize growers across New Zealand are preparing for planting. Understanding how to set up your crop for success is critical. In this episode, Wade and Matt welcome Dr Rowland Tsimba, National Research & Agronomy Manager, who says it all begins with knowing your growing environment. “The key to cropping success is a combination of understanding the science and good strategic planning”, says Rowland. “While factors like temperature, radiation levels, soil type, and mois...

2 months ago

36 minutes

Feed for Thought

Pathway to Farm Ownership & Engineering on-farm success with Dave England

During the Rural Roadie, Matt and Wade sat down with Taranaki dairy farmer, Dave England, to explore his transition from engineering to dairy farm ownership. At 28, Dave and wife, Hollie made the decision to enter the dairy industry, advancing from a 200-cow lower order role to managing a 600-cow operation within a year. By intentionally working with progressive farmers, Dave rapidly developed his skills and built the equity needed to step into a 310 cow 50/50 sharemilking role. His dis...

2 months ago

17 minutes

Feed for Thought

Inside and outside the farm gate: Jen Corkran on pasture and protein markets

Tune in as Jen Corkran, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank, shares her expertise on converting grass into protein and explores current market trends in New Zealand’s primary sector. The conversation begins inside the farm gate, drawing on Jen’s 12 years of experience in agronomy and farm systems. Jen unpacks the fundamentals of pasture management and insights into modern pasture varieties. Top-performing operators, she notes, consistently prioritise what grows underfoot, regardle...

3 months ago

34 minutes

Feed for Thought

From family succession to diversified agriculture with Frank Briant

Tune in as Matt and Simon Begley, local Area Manager, sit down with Frank Briant to delve into the story of the Briant Brothers’ operation in Patutahi, Gisborne. This episode highlights how the diverse 520ha operation, which consists of maize grain, Pioneer seed production maize, livestock, kiwifruit, grapes, citrus, squash, and popcorn, has weathered challenges and thrived through strategic diversification and family succession. After parting ways with his brother after 42 years ...

4 months ago

19 minutes

Feed for Thought

NZ Share Farmers of the Year Fiona and Tom Langford on balancing farm excellence

Tune in as we welcome Fiona and Tom Langsford, winners of the NZ Share Farmers of the Year. Alongside taking out the overall prize, the Langford’s also took home the Sustainable Pasture, Business Performance, Environmental Sustainability, People & Culture, Leadership, Farm Safety, Health & Biosecurity, and Experience 2025 Dairy Industry Awards. In this episode, the team share their journey of balancing on-farm excellence at the South Waikato-based dairy operation. Fiona returned to he...

4 months ago

31 minutes

Feed for Thought

New infrastructure helping to improve feed efficiency with Will Bailey

Recorded on the Rural Roadie, tune in as Matt and Wade sit down in the caravan with Canterbury farmer, Will Bailey, to discuss the impact of a newly built feed pad infrastructure on his dairy farm operation. The team delve into Will’s feeding strategy and how targeted investments can deliver valuable returns. The 300-metre feeding face accommodates up to 400 cows whilst eliminating wastage. Beyond these efficiencies, the system has delivered additional benefits such as reduced lane dama...

5 months ago

20 minutes

Feed for Thought

Evolving the farm system with Dave Swney

Tune in as Wade and Matt Towers, local Area Manager, sit down with Dave Swney, the 2025 maize silage catalogue cover and Waikato Dairy Farmer. Dave shares his journey of returning to the family dairy farm, transforming it into a sustainable and efficient System 5 operation south of Te Awamutu. In this episode, Dave shares the challenges faced over this period, including learning the importance of ‘time budgeting’, dealing with health issues and reducing the stocking rate to improve farm...

6 months ago

44 minutes

Feed for Thought

Strategic transition from Spring to Autumn calving with Craig Lynskey and Kieran Bourke

Tune in to our latest episode with Taranaki farmers Craig Lynskey and Kieran Bourke as they share their journey transitioning from spring to autumn calving and the strategic advantages of this approach. The team discuss how increasing mild winters and challenging summer droughts pushed them toward this strategic shift. "Our growth rates through summer are often in single digits, yet consistently 40-45 in most winters," Kieran explains, highlighting the fundamental mismatch between traditional...

6 months ago

26 minutes

Feed for Thought

Understanding maize seed production

Field Operations Manager, Duncan Grant, shares his decade-long journey from field technician to leading the field operations in Gisborne. Discover the strategies and challenges of coordinating contract growers to maintain seed purity and manage cross-pollination risks. Learn from Duncan's insights the dynamic planning needed to tackle logistical hurdles presented by unpredictable weather conditions to produce some of New Zealand's highest quality seed.

8 months ago

19 minutes

Feed for Thought

2024 Waikato Share Farmer of the Year - Logan Dawson talks maximising milk production

In our first episode of the year, Logan Dawson, 2024 Waikato Share Farmer of the Year (alongside wife, Sian Dawson), joins Wade and Matt to share his farming journey to managing an 880-cow share milking business in the Waikato. The team explores Logan and Sian’s system, examining how split calving and precise diets boost milk production. Logan explains balancing pasture and supplements to achieve high production metrics while keeping operations simple. They also discuss the financial str...

9 months ago

42 minutes

Feed for Thought

Ian Williams on farming, future technologies (and fishing!)

In our last episode for the year, Matt and Wade are thrilled to be joined by a familiar face and former Feed for Thought host, Ian Williams. Ian's travels to the US earlier this year brought him face-to-face with exceptional farming practices and an unforgettable salmon fishing trip guided by a former scientist. With Ian's vivid storytelling, you'll hear about the shared dedication and adaptations of farmers worldwide and chuckle at some light-hearted chatter about theories that arose along t...

10 months ago

24 minutes

Feed for Thought

Balancing efficiency and sustainability in large-scale cattle operations – with Ben Carrigan

In this episode, the team unpack the intricacies of managing one of Australia’s largest feedlot operations with special guest, Ben Carrigan, the General Manager of Commodities, Farms, and Transport at Mort & Co. Australia. You’ll gain insights into the complex feed composition and innovative practices that set Mort & Co. apart. Ben takes us through their diversified business model that includes not only feed lotting and branded beef but also Mort & Co’s approach to turning e...

11 months ago

28 minutes

Feed for Thought

Cows, Comfort, and Compost: The positive impact of a composting shelter

With a rich family history in dairy farming, Michael Phillips and Andrew Evans (Bubbles) join Matt and Wade to discuss the strategy behind cows, comfort and compost at Dannevirke-based dairy farming operation, Waka Dairies. Michael and Bubbles discuss the strategic shifts made as part of Waka Dairies' succession plan, with leadership and team culture, and infrastructure improvements at the core. The team delve into the impact of composting shelters and how this infrastructure has impact...

11 months ago

30 minutes

Feed for Thought

Arable Farmer of the Year: Winning strategies with Simon Nitschke

Simon Nitschke, the Arable Farmer of the Year, Maize Farmer of the Year, and National Pioneer Yield Cup winner, joins Matt and Wade to discuss the strategy and success of Rangitikei enterprise, Arable Solutions. This episode explores supply and demand management, particularly for maize grain. We discuss the impact of market fluctuations, the importance of forward planning, and how collaboration with end users can be a game-changer. Efficiency and sustainability are at the core of t...

1 year ago

25 minutes

Feed for Thought

Mastering maize planting: Essential considerations and strategies for success

With a passion for dairy farming, Logan Scott, Te Awamutu East and South Waikato Area Manager and small block owner brings a unique perspective on land and crop management, maize and agronomy. This episode delves into Logan’s agronomy knowledge, sharing strategies for identifying potential issues and guiding effective management decisions, particularly through the critical V3 to V6 growth stages of maize. Join the team in this engaging discussion, which offers practical insights for imp...

1 year ago

18 minutes

Feed for Thought

RP of the year on preparing the next generation

Rural Professional of the Year and Senior Lecturer in Agribusiness and Management at Lincoln University, Dan Smith, joins Wade and Matt on this episode to share his strategies for nurturing future-ready students. You'll hear about his dynamic approach to equipping students with timeless skills covering the key competencies for young agricultural professionals to succeed in the rapidly evolving industry. Dan shares the initiatives that Lincoln University is taking to develop and prepare s...

1 year ago

24 minutes

Feed for Thought

Preserving the quality of grass silage

Interested in understanding how you can mitigate feed quality losses? In this episode, Matt is joined by Shaun Body, our Portfolio Manager, and Helen France, our Hawke's Bay, Tararua & Wairarapa Area Manager, to discuss the value proposition of inoculant and how to get more value from your grass silage by minimising the drop in quality.If you have any questions about using spring inoculants, please contact your contractor, merchant rep, or local area manager.

1 year ago

13 minutes

Feed for Thought

New Zealand vs. Australia: Which dairy market is better positioned? - with Jo Bills

Join us as Jo Bills, Director for Global Insights at EverAg, breaks down the differences in supply chain dynamics, pasture-based efficiencies, and export strategies between New Zealand and Australia. Learn how Australia’s more productive cows compare to New Zealand's pasture-based herds. We also touch on greenhouse gas emissions and Fonterra's strategic manoeuvres, providing a comprehensive outlook on the unique challenges and strengths of each country's dairy sector. The dis...

1 year ago

31 minutes