Jenny Jago

Jenny plays a pivotal role in shaping DairyNZ’s science direction, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring research delivers meaningful, practical outcomes for dairy farmers. She is responsible for driving cross-sector partnerships, seeking external investment opportunities, overseeing the DairyNZ Independent Science Panel, and championing initiatives that connect research with on-farm outcomes.

Throughout her distinguished career at DairyNZ, Jenny has delivered numerous programmes that have created positive progress for farmers. She has held senior leadership roles, including seven years as leader for strategy and investment, and most recently as a principal scientist. Beyond DairyNZ, she has contributed to the global sector through service on the International Dairy Federation’s standing committees for farm management and animal health and welfare.

Jenny is widely respected, nationally and internationally, for her expertise in farm systems, milking efficiency, animal welfare, digital technologies in animal management, and workplace productivity. She has particular expertise in pastoral automatic milking systems and dairy cattle learning behaviour, and she developed milking routines that have reduced milking times in conventional dairies.

She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and Technology in Animal Sciences, and a PhD in Animal Sciences from the University of Waikato. Following her PhD, she completed post-doctoral research at AgResearch, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in France, the Danish Institute of Agricultural Science, and spent 12 months at Teagasc Ireland.