Susanne Meier

Susanne has over 25 years’ experience researching dairy cattle, with a particular passion for herd and cow reproduction. She collaborates across organisations, working with large multi-disciplinary teams to deliver the best outcomes for New Zealand dairy farmers.

Susanne has written many research papers, spoken at numerous conferences and field days, and won multiple awards for her research. Her technical expertise in animal physiology, endocrinology, and behaviour, and utilising tech wearables for management and farm systems, has contributed to world-leading research findings.

Over the years, her projects have included focusing on increasing conception rates, understanding how uterine disease reduces reproductive performance, improving fertility phenotypes to obtain greater gains in fertility through breeding, and understanding reproductive performance limitations.

Susanne received a Kudos award alongside her team for their research on improving cow fertility. This accolade is a top honour in the primary industry, recognising the team’s significant contributions to the science and farming communities and the positive impact of their research which provides farmers with access to more fertile cows.

Susanne’s rural background in Australia and her interest in how complex systems work have fostered an in-depth understanding of the challenges farmers face. She enjoys getting out on farm to share research findings and discuss their practical applications with farmers. Susanne says that the strength of research lies in “empowering people through mentoring and coaching, believing that research is a team effort, and helping others to succeed. This in-turn supports the success of research, and the benefits flow on to farmers.” She completed her PhD in reproductive physiology at Monash University.