Paul Bird

Paul Bird crunches the numbers at DairyNZ, converting research and economic analysis into practical information for on-farm use. Get the Mark and Measure of how he’s helping farmers.

As a member of DairyNZ’s Business team, Paul focuses closely on economics, including working with financial data and making it available through DairyNZ’s DairyBase.

“DairyBase is recognised as one of the best benchmarking systems worldwide,” says Paul. “All farmers can contribute to and/or access the database, to help them make good planning and operating decisions for their farms.”

Paul has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree and past experience as a consulting officer. He’s also been a consultant working with grass-based dairy farmers in the United Kingdon and Ireland. Since joining DairyNZ, one of his most satisfying achievements has been co-developing DairyNZ’s Mark and Measure course over two decades ago.

Paul says the course has helped many farmers improve their planning and decision-making over that time, and it’s still training farmers today.

“It’s a three-day course designed to help dairy farmers at any business stage,” explains Paul. “It offers farmers tools and approaches to create wealth, set aligned goals, and analyse their farm business. The course includes interactive presentations, expert analysis, networking, and post-course support.”

Paul also develops and supports financial tools featured on DairyNZ’s website, such DairyNZ’s budget templates, its 10-year equity project tool, and its contract milker premium calculator.

“There have been plenty of positive comments coming from farmers using DairyNZ’s tools and resources, including great feedback on the contract milker premium calculator,” says Paul, who also works alongside DairyNZ’s area managers to support them in business analysis and business management.

“Providing farmers with useful information, resources and tools they need, grounded in evidence-based, scientific research, is essential if we’re to maintain New Zealand dairy farms’ competitiveness on the global stage, and ensure our farmers stay at the cutting edge of the sector.”

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