AgFirst NZ

MORE FEED 🌱 → MORE MILK 🥛 → MORE PROFIT? 💰

It sounds straightforward, but the numbers behind the extra milk tell a more interesting story.

AgFirst’s Kim Robinson joins DairyNZ’s Talking Dairy to unpack the research and look at the full cost of marginal milk.

What does the research mean for the way we think about supplementary feed?

🎧 Listen to Talking Dairy – https://www.dairynz.co.nz/podcast/when-does-extra-feed-stop-paying-its-way-ep-134/

Interested in finding out more:
Contact Kim - https://www.agfirst.co.nz/consultants/kim-robinson

https://tracta.co.nz/insights/spring-conditions-are-strong-but-planning-still-matters/

Spring conditions are looking good across much of New Zealand’s primary sector. But the conversation is already turning to what comes next.

This edition of AgriPulse looks at the strengthening El Niño, what it could mean across dairy, sheep and beef and horticulture, the changing role of AgTech, and why planning ahead matters even when conditions are in your favour.

For agrimarketers, there’s another question to consider: are you getting in front of the decisions farmers and growers will make next, or waiting until they’ve already made them?

Read the latest AgriPulse from AgFirst and Tracta:

Spring conditions are strong — but planning still matters | Tracta | We grow agribrands for a changing world Explore AgFirst and Tracta’s September 2026 update on New Zealand agribusiness conditions, covering El Niño preparedness, AgTech adoption, and sector outlooks.

FEED 🌱 → MILK 🥛 → RETURN 💰

We all know extra feed can help drive extra milk. But what happens when you look at the full cost of producing that extra milk?

Research co-led by AgFirst’s Kim Robinson takes a closer look at the economics of supplementary feed and where the returns start to change.

📖 Read the Inside Dairy article - https://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/the-hidden-cost-of-chasing-extra-milk/

🎧 Listen to the Talking Dairy podcast - https://www.dairynz.co.nz/podcast/when-does-extra-feed-stop-paying-its-way-ep-134/

Interested in finding out more:
Contact Kim - https://www.agfirst.co.nz/consultants/kim-robinson

🌱 Spring has sprung in Hawke’s Bay!

Beautiful blue skies, a few more frosts than ideal, but the bees are humming as we get ready to go again. 🐝☀️

🍳🥓 Brunch on Us - this week in Southland.

📍Dipton - Wednesday 30 September | Dipton Golf Course

We invite you to take a well-earned break. Come along for a FREE brunch, a yarn and good company with people who understand rural life.

No speeches. No sales pitches. No pressure. Just a warm welcome, great kai and a chance to pause, reconnect and check in with each other.

🕥 11:00am – 1:30pm
☕️ No registration required, just turn up!

ALL WELCOME, bring your partner, neighbour, farm team, or that mate who keeps saying “Yeah, I’m good” but might appreciate getting off the job for a couple of hours.

Proudly supported by: Fonterra, Farm Source Otago/Southland, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Southern South Island, Open Country, DairyNZ, On Farm Support - Ministry for Primary Industries, FMG, ASB Bank, Nedap Livestock, Advance Agriculture Ltd, Lower South Island Rural Women NZ, AgFirst NZ, LIC, Mataura Valley Milk and Westpac NZ

WE ARE RURAL SUPPORT, TOGETHER

📏 Sometimes, the simplest tools still have a place.

New technology can bring some great insights and efficiencies on farm, but having confidence in the numbers means keeping a few practical checks and balances in the mix.

And sometimes, that means reaching for the humble plate meter. 🌱🐄

A quick reality check in the paddock can go a long way!

AgFirst’s Phil Tither was part of a great day with the Valora team this week, sharing his economic benchmarking work alongside the first presentation of the Valora rams to breeders and industry. 🐏📊

🍎 Taking the guesswork out of chemical thinning

A great article from AgFirst consultant Meg Becker, looking at how good data, planning and knowing when to adjust can make chemical thinning a more informed decision-making process.

Worth a read for anyone heading into chemical thinning this season 👇

🐄🌱 Is your agreement still fit for purpose?

AgFirst consultant Lycinda Lett joined Louise Gibson from The Sharefarming Consultants on DAIRY Country to discuss whether current agreements and legislation are keeping pace with the way farms operate today.

They cover some important issues for farm owners, contract milkers and share farmers, including clear agreements and farm policies, power imbalances, dispute resolution, guaranteed minimum returns and withheld milk payments.

A worthwhile listen for anyone reviewing their arrangements or planning ahead for next season. 🎧

Greater legal scaffolding needed - Dairy Country Sharefarming agreements, including those for contract milkers, would benefit from updates and greater legal clarity to give more certainty for sharefarmers and farm owners.