Scene + Herd: Podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the farmer-owned industry organisation representing New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers.

  • 29 minutes 35 seconds
    Shut the gate: Deferred Grazing on hill country

    We’re joined by Bill Garland who farms at Maungatautari in the Waikato and Dr Katherine Tozer, Senior Scientist at AgResearch, to talk deferred grazing. Around for many decades in different forms, it’s gaining more popularity as a way to transfer feed from spring to autumn/early winter, to regenerate pastures and to cut down on diesel, seed and cropping/regrassing costs.  Could it have a place in your system?

    For more details, check out the deferred grazing information on B+LNZ’s Factsheet, DairyNZ’s Deferred Grazing page and AgResearch’s guide book.

    This research was supported by AgResearch, DairyNZ, MPI, Ellett Trust, Ballance Agri-nutrients, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and especially the many farmers who contributed their time, paddocks and expertise. 

    26 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Better Beef Systems, with Bob Thomson, Ben Trotter and Matt Tayler

    Tools, tech and tactics to make every blade count – Industry-renowned beef expert Bob Thomson (AgFirst) and farmers Ben Trotter (Luggate) and Matt Tayler (Garston) share practical tools, proven tactics, and tech insights to boost efficiency and profit in beef systems—including a look ahead at the role of wearables in the future of farming. 

    Recorded on the B+LNZ Central Otago Farming for Profit “Grass to Gold” webinar, 16 June 2025

    19 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 21 minutes 30 seconds
    Optimising Lamb Survival Episode 2 with Professor Paul Kenyon and Geordie Eade

    Breeding hoggets can be a smart way to lift overall lamb numbers - but only if it’s done right.

    In episode two of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, we’re diving into hogget lambing.

    The Country’s Rowena Duncum sits down with Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University and Riverton farmer Geordie Eade, to talk feed planning through lactation, scanning strategies, health considerations, and the long-term impacts of breeding ewe hoggets.

    Whether you're already breeding hoggets or just considering it, this episode is packed with practical advice to help make the right decisions on-farm.

    11 June 2025, 12:07 am
  • 17 minutes 14 seconds
    Optimising Lamb Survival Ep.3 with Dr Rene Corner-Thomas

    Pregnancy scanning offers more than just lamb counts - it’s a powerful management tool that can lift lamb survival and save on feed. In episode 3 of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas from Massey University. 
    They explore how to make the most of scanning - from identifying ewes needing extra support, to improving feeding strategies and pinpointing lambing dates. If you want to turn scanning results into real productivity gains, this episode is for you.

    28 May 2025, 8:02 am
  • 26 minutes 51 seconds
    Optimising Lamb Survival Ep.1 with Dr David Stevens

    Getting more lambs on the ground, and through to weaning, takes more than just good luck. Optimising Lamb Survival, a new podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, shares practical tips and proven strategies to lift lamb survival and productivity.

    In part one, The Country’s Rowena Duncum chats with Dr David Stevens from AgResearch about feed planning, ewe nutrition, and the key factors that make or break your lambing success.

    28 May 2025, 8:00 am
  • 10 minutes 46 seconds
    Insights on Parasites Ep.4 with Dr Cara Brosnahan

    Internal parasites and drench resistance are serious threats to livestock production. In the final episode of our special four-part series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is once again joined by B+LNZ Principal Scientist (Animal Health Research) Dr Cara Brosnahan to look at targeted selective treatment in the fight against drench resistance.

    19 May 2025, 8:10 am
  • 15 minutes 26 seconds
    Insights on Parasites Ep.3 with Dr Cara Brosnahan

    Internal parasites and drench resistance are serious threats to livestock production. In part three of our series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by B+LNZ Principal Scientist (Animal Health Research) Dr Cara Brosnahan to look at the B+LNZ Research livestock parasite management groups – launched across the country to promote best practices and improve control strategies.

    19 May 2025, 8:09 am
  • 21 minutes 52 seconds
    Insights on Parasites Ep.2 with Ginny Dodunski

    Internal parasites and drench resistance are serious threats to livestock production. In part two of our series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by B+LNZ’s Wormwise Programme Manager Ginny Dodunski to look at all aspects of the programme – from its conception through to report findings, plus practical messages for farmers.

    19 May 2025, 8:07 am
  • 12 minutes 31 seconds
    Insights on Parasites Ep.1 with Dr Suzi Keeling

    Internal parasites and drench resistance are serious threats to livestock production. In part one of a special four-part podcast series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by B+LNZ Head of Science & Research Dr Suzi Keeling to look at new initiatives underway as part of the B+LNZ livestock internal parasite research programme, the reasons why this research is so important, and work underway globally to tackle this issue.

    19 May 2025, 8:05 am
  • 1 minute 23 seconds
    Breakfeed: Trace elements in sheep

    Advice from Erin Riley, North Canterbury Vets talking at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farming for Profit field day. In particular, she notes sheep are less likely to get their required selenium in oral drenches now.

    More information in B+LNZ’s Factsheet Trace Element Nutrition of Sheep

    8 May 2025, 2:00 am
  • 9 minutes 11 seconds
    Eliminating Facial Eczema's Impact Ep.4 with Dr Cara Brosnahan

    Facial Eczema is becoming more widespread in New Zealand, costing NZ’s economy $332 million annually. In the final episode of our special four-part series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is once again joined by B+LNZ Principal Scientist (Animal Health Research) Dr Cara Brosnahan to wrap up the wider conversation by looking at management of facial eczema and why New Zealand needs more tools in tackling the issue.

    1 May 2025, 7:28 am
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