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Inside Dairy February-April 2026

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Published February 2026
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Inside Dairy February-April 2026

Practical tools, smart science, and real on farm experience — this Inside Dairy edition brings together the insights you need to make good decisions heading into autumn.

This edition showcases the practical progress happening across New Zealand dairying - from technology and science, to business resilience and people development.

Here’s a look inside:

  • Tech that’s helping farmers make smarter decisions
    Farmers share how they’re using wearables to lift efficiency and animal wellbeing - plus a look at DairyNZ’s new farmer led research project focused on turning data into real on farm value.
  • Skills and people development that open doors
    Northern Southland farmer Emma Blom talks about backing herself, growing her confidence, and the opportunities created through Dairy Training.
  • Science you can trust for future-focused farming
    Get the latest findings on methane, calf nutrition, dairy–beef partnerships, and other research shaping efficient, sustainable systems.
  • Autumn guidance to keep your farm running well
    Effluent management, BCS, wintering plans, N loss reduction and attracting (and keeping) good people - clear, practical advice for a strong autumn.
  • Business insights that protect your bottom line
    DairyNZ specialists unpack how to make the most of strong cashflow years, stress test investment decisions, and build long term resilience.
  • Contract milking - what makes relationships succeed
    New research highlights the traits and behaviours that support sustainable, mutually beneficial arrangements.
  • Your Milksolids Levy Vote matters
    A reminder of what’s at stake and why standing together continues to drive progress for the dairy sector.

Inside Dairy stories

Dairy farm workers in high visibility clothing, leaning on a ute to read a DairyNZ guide

Just quickly

'Just quickly' snippets from the February-April 2026 edition of Inside Dairy.

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Tracy Brown Presenting An Award OG Image

Insights from a global dairy showcase

With New Zealand getting ready to host the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit this year, DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown attended the 2025 event in Chile.

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Inside Dairy Production Records Make 24 25 A Season To Beat Listing Summary Image.Png

Production records make 2024/25 a season to beat

Milksolids production rose last season, largely due to strong milk price incentives, increased imported feed and consistent herd performance across many farms.

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Inside Dairy Dairy Policy Makes Progress OG Image

Dairy policy makes progress

With key national rules set to change, the sector readies itself for a new national direction.

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Inside Dairy Dairy Training Makes All The Difference Emma Bloom With Cow Summary Listing Image

Dairy Training makes all the difference

Free courses – developed in collaboration with farmers and the dairy sector – help farmers like Emma Blom build practical skills on-farm.

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Autumn Smarts

Essential autumn tools for farm success. Browse through our autumn tips, tools and resources – developed with the latest research and technology.

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Inside Dairy New Dry Cow Advice Supports Selective Use Listing Summary Image

New dry cow advice supports selective use

Matching the right treatment to the right cow at dry-off protects herd health and the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics.

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Inside Dairy Planning For Pasture Renewal Image

Planning for pasture renewal

Autumn is the key season for renewing pastures and setting up next season’s feed supply. You’ll get the best results by following these three core principles.

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Inside Dairy What Makes A Contract Milking Agreement Work Listing Summary OG Image

What makes a contract milking agreement work?

New DairyNZ research, shared at recent joint events with Federated Farmers and FMG, highlights the key factors behind successful contract milking partnerships - and why getting them right matters.

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Campbell Parker 2025 On Farm

Growth in a world of limits

New Zealand’s dairy sector cannot grow in the way it has in the past. So what is the plan to increase the value of exports while improving dairy’s environmental footprint?

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Inside Dairy The Why What Of Wearables Listing Image

The why, what and whether or not of wearables

At a Progressing Dairy Event on ‘Wearable data for decisionmaking’ in Waikato last November, farmers shared their experience of the technology.

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Inside Dairy Farmers Help Shape New Research Into Wearable Tech Listing Image

Farmers help shape new research into wearable tech

DairyNZ is working with farmers to shape a three-year research project on wearable technology, focusing on how data can drive better decisions, improve performance, and lift profitability.

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Inside Dairy Setting Your Business Up For The Long Term Listing Image

Setting your business up for the long term

How you manage farm profit can set your family and business up for long-term resilience, say DairyNZ business specialists Sarah Brown and Paul Bird.

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Inside Dairy More Milk Healthier Calves Stronger Heifers Listing Image

More milk, healthier calves, stronger heifers

Science shows that giving calves more milk early boosts growth, resilience and first-lactation performance. Autumn calvers can act now, and updated calf-rearing resources are coming soon.

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Inside Dairy Methane Emissions Lower Than Expected Listing Image

Methane emissions lower than expected during spring

Early results show methane emissions from grazing cows may be lower than predicted, especially on good-quality spring pasture.

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Inside Dairy Farmers Using Ai To Save Time Ai Image 2

Farmers using artificial intelligence to save time

As farmers take their first steps into the world of artificial intelligence, they are finding that the tech won’t replace experience, but can support decision-making, and accelerate tasks.

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Inside Dairy Towards More Profitable And Ethical Dairy Beef Listing Image

Towards more profitable and ethical dairy beef

The Dairy Beef Profit Partnership pilot, delivered by DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, is connecting dairy farmers, calf rearers and beef finishers with a view to building a partnership to give non-replacement dairy calves more productive pathways.

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Inside Dairy People First Leadership Lifts Performance Listing Image

People-first leadership lifts performance

With around 41,000 people working on New Zealand dairy farms, understanding what drives workplace productivity is key to improving individual farm and overall sector performance.

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