Mark Speight

Mark works with his team and others across and outside DairyNZ to highlight how best practices across farm systems can set farmers up for the future, with other farmers also showing the way.

“Farmers often learn best from other farmers,” says Mark, “and our team serves as a conduit to ensure that happens. We also link in strongly with DairyNZ’s regional teams to deliver quality events and services to key farmers and groups, and bring our scientists to them.”

Mark often presents at benchmarking/data and other farmer events, and analyses financial information from DairyBase to use at field days, discussion groups and DairyNZ’s Mark & Measure course.

“I’ve also been monitoring labour and profitability impacts in relation to our ‘extended lactation’ research. It’s fascinating working with the farmers adopting this farm system change.”

Originally from a sheep/beef farming background in Western Southland, Mark’s been part of the dairy sector for more than 25 years.

“I completed a Bachelor in Agricultural Commerce degree (Farm Management) at Lincoln University, then started with Dexcel as a consulting officer. I’ve also tutored diploma classes for dairy farmers, and worked in Asia and Latin America on dairy development projects, and in corporate dairy farming.”

While there’s a wealth of experience that farmers can link into through DairyNZ’s research team, Mark says some of the best solutions and changes are being led by our top dairy farmers. He encourages other farmers to check out DairyNZ’s Budget Case Studies, for ideas on how to achieve successful and sustainable approaches and planning on-farm.

“Some of New Zealand’s best dairy farmers share a lot of information and details on their total farm business there, including budget and cashflow advice, plus really helpful practical and pragmatic solutions to manage climatic challenges or sudden changes in payouts or expenses.”

New Zealand’s dairy sector is very much built on dairy farmers’ willingness to share information with each other, says Mark. “Our team’s support - in person, through events, and through excellent information available on our website, in publications and via podcasts - is an important extension of that.”

• Find out more about DairyNZ’s other specialist team members.
• Check out our research team and our regional teams.