Have you ever spent long nights awake thinking about the role of the different types of ryegrasses?

Or perhaps you pass your time on the tractor questioning Ecotain’s® ability to reduce nitrate leaching?

Al and Juddy are here to help explain the technical, practical, and sometimes humorous implications of forages and animal systems that keep New Zealand farmers leading the world.

During this very topical episode, Al & Juddy are joined by Techion Managing Director, Greg Mirams (who developed the original FECPAK back in ’92 and recently the GII to measure parasite burdens on farm) who has a wealth of knowledge around managing drench resistance.

Al & Juddy have an important conversation with their guest about the challenge drench resistance holds for farmers within New Zealand and the importance of forages as a tool to help combat it.

“The damage is done when they come over the tongue” – Greg Mirams

Join Al & Juddy as they delve into the lesser-explored realm of alternative grass species in the New Zealand landscape.

Building on their extensive coverage of popular grass varieties, this episode was inspired by a listener’s request to explore the less conventional choices that may not be widely adopted in New Zealand.

From an agronomic perspective, Al & Juddy dissect these alternative grasses, examining their relevance and application in various animal systems.

“We kind of love them together as what we refer to as the alternative options. Their different characteristics mean that they have quite different ranges in terms of where you would sow them. Moreover, they play varied roles within animal systems, showcasing their versatility” – Glenn Judson

In this month's podcast Al & Juddy dive into a timely topic as autumn approaches – cheap/uncertified seed.

They give a high-level summary of the intricacies of certified seed which assures the integrity and guarantee of what you are sowing. The discussion then shifts to the potential pitfalls of uncertified seed and the implications that this can have on your farming system.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of cheap seed that could help you make informed decisions as another season fast approaches.

"We take opportunities because they seem good, there's the irony. They seem good value for money. But you forget that you are about to earn an income off it. And it's important that it actually meets your expectations to quite a high level. So you haven't quite valued your future income stream as much as your front up cost moment" – Allister Moorhead 

What do snakes, hair removal cream, and ONE⁵⁰ perennial ryegrass all have in common?

They’re in this episode of the Al & Juddy Show.

In the spirit of the season, they’re sharing light hearted yarns from their careers, aiming to trigger a few giggles or smiles!

Join Al & Juddy as they sit down with the boss, John McKenzie. They discuss his early career, taking New Zealand products to the world and delve into forward thinking strategies that utilise failures and successes of R&D to support investment strategies for future technology.

Will there be an Episode 21? Listen to find out!

‘What you can do is transplant the way a Kiwi thinks. When you trace it back, it's about making the most of the resources at hand. It’s the number eight wire and binder twine mentality of people who came out here and settled in this country 150 years ago. It’s the way we think’ – John McKenzie 

Al & Juddy enjoyed having Stephen Goldson from AgResearch in the studio as their second guest.

Stephen shares his intrepid journey on controlling the Argentine stem weevil population by retrieving parasitoids from South America and bringing them to New Zealand.

Tune in for a first hand account of ecology in action. 

"In terms of Conservation Biocontrol, we cannot use examples of this approach from abroad. What we can do is import biocontrol control agents that have evolved in association with stem weevil through evolutionary time, which is what the importation biocontrol is all about." – Stephen Goldson 

Listen in as Al & Juddy cover everything about the highly nutritious herb chicory, which resonates with many New Zealand farming systems including dairy, sheep and beef.

Offering key recommendations and best practice tips for getting the most out of your chicory.  

"Between its easily grazed habit and its ability to stimulate grazing by being a herbaceous plant full of water, in a hot dry environment you tend to find it is a perfect way of getting more drymatter and more energy into an animal under stress. Making it an ideal home grown feed." – Allister Moorhead 

Join Al & Juddy as they delve into one of the fundamental aspects of a calendar year, wintering systems.

They unpack how to select the ideal wintering system, taking into account the factors of your resource base such as how much land for the number of animals you have.

They discuss the various characteristics of different cultivars and rotations, offering insight into optimising the area you farm on, with a particular focus on the dairy system.

"Winter is challenging, but it doesn’t mean to say that we need to change the system completely. I think by looking at best practices and being sensible about them, we can navigate our way through those challenges" – Glenn Judson

Throughout this episode, Al & Juddy have a comprehensive discussion about finishing lambs during the lactation phase.

They explore historical examples that shaped their understanding of how various forages integrate within a finishing system and provide valuable insights into how to optimise their use.

"The detail is actually understanding your forage and variety choice along with their seasonality. It’s really important because we are trying to match forage growth with livestock demand for the first month and a half of spring. Not all plants are equal, and not all varieties are equal in those windows of time" – Glenn Judson

Al & Juddy are joined by local farmer Chris Chamberlain for the second episode of their two part series.

Chris shares his personal leasing experience, offering valuable lessons and expertise that will benefit young farmers looking to get their foot in the door.

“We need young people and their enthusiastic brains. And I think leasing is a way that they can get their foot in the door and old hardheads can help assist. You can ask, you can listen and you can learn” – Chris Chamberlain 

Join Al & Juddy as they welcome their first guest, sheep and beef farmer Chris Chamberlain, in the latest episode -  ‘Forging lasting relationships’.

In this deep dive discussion, they explore their shared history and experience reaching back close to 25 years.

This is the first of two podcasts so don’t miss the banter and experience that will leave you wanting more!

‘We try and take the risk and vulnerabilities away and add benefit. So, it’s about drafting through that knowledge base and utilising the stuff that’s applicable to your business’ – Chris Chamberlain