Maxmedia Video Podcasts

Desert Dairy Dreams: How Israel's Tiny Herd Achieved Global Milk Mastery

Join us as we explore the remarkable story of Israel's dairy industry, a small but incredibly sophisticated and highly efficient sector that's making waves globally. Despite its challenging subtropical climate with summers devoid of rain, Israel boasts the highest annual milk yield per cow in the world, exceeding 12,000 litres in 2021.
 
 
Discover how the founding fathers of this industry, nearly a century ago, developed a nationally adapted breeding system and understood the necessity of complete confinement for cows, eliminating grazing due to the climate. This led to innovative feeding methods that compensate for the lack of high-quality roughage by incorporating agro-industrial and human food industry by-products.
 
Learn about the cutting-edge sustainability practices that make Israel a world leader in milk production:
 
- Water Innovation: Overcoming water scarcity by purifying municipal wastewater and developing water-saving methods like drip irrigation.
 
- Waste-to-Feed Solutions: Utilising agricultural and food industry leftovers and by-products, saving costs on conventional feed and landfilling.
 
- Technological Advancements: Implementing advanced management and control technologies, including computerised milking systems that allow for real-time detection and treatment of health and management issues, significantly reducing working time per litre of milk.
 
- Heat Stress Mitigation: Pioneering intensive cow cooling measures over the past 40 years, which dramatically reduce the typical drop in milk production during hot seasons, a challenge now faced even in Europe and the northern United States.
 
 
These innovations offer immense benefits: environmentally, they reduce methane emissions by requiring fewer cows to meet national milk needs; for cow health, preventing heat stress strengthens immune systems and reduces morbidity, leading to fewer illnesses like mastitis and potential savings on medicines; and economically, higher yields mean lower feed requirements and reduced production costs.
 
 
We'll also delve into the strict milk quality standards enforced at processing plants, including checks for antibiotics and somatic cell count, with significant penalties for non-compliance, ensuring that only high-quality milk reaches the consumer. You'll hear about the country's quota system designed to ensure uniform milk supply year-round and the price agreement process involving the government, farmers, and dairies.
 
 
Understand the structure of Israeli farming, with its kibbutz and moshav farms, and the history of major dairy processors like Tnuva, Tara, Strauss, and Gad. Finally, we'll touch on the diverse consumer tastes in Israel, where over 1,000 different dairy products are available, with soft white cheeses like gvina levana being the most popular.
 
 
The knowledge and experience gained from Israel's 120,000 cows are now being shared globally, offering a blueprint for dairy farmers in challenging conditions worldwide. Tune in to discover the secrets behind Israel's incredible dairy success story!

Strength in Partnerships: The Backbone of Dairy Success

The dairy industry isn't just built on hard work; it thrives on collaboration. In this episode, we dive into why no single farmer, service provider, or association can succeed in isolation, highlighting how a cohesive and committed network of partners is essential for ensuring the industry remains productive, sustainable, and resilient.
 
Discover the vital relationships that form the backbone of every successful dairy operation, including the farmers, input suppliers (providing quality feed, seed, and animal health products), veterinarians, hoof trimmers, and the crucial support of organised agriculture and professional bodies like the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO).
 
We explore how collaborative decision-making and shared expertise provide a stronger foundation for problem-solving and innovation. Whether it's improving milk quality, enhancing herd health, or navigating complex regulations, no challenge is too great when tackled together. You'll learn how associations like the MPO offer advocacy, information, training, and a platform for uniting industry voices, ensuring that policies, research, and development efforts truly reflect the needs of producers on the ground.
 
A prime example of this cooperative spirit was seen during the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Eastern Cape. Faced with a serious threat, the entire industry rallied, with the state veterinarian, organised agriculture, input suppliers, farmers, and milk buyers all playing central roles in coordinating response strategies and supporting one another. This demonstrated just how vital these partnerships are in times of uncertainty.
 
In today’s environment, where producers face increasing pressures from economic volatility, climate challenges, and evolving consumer demands, partnerships are more than helpful—they are essential. Tune in to understand why fostering these partnerships, strengthening shared knowledge, and championing the collaborative spirit defines the dairy community, making it stronger, smarter, and better prepared for the future. It's a celebration of those committed not just to their own success, but to the well-being of the entire dairy value chain.

Know How To Sleep: Essential Partnerships for Financial Peace

Are you losing sleep over financial worries? South African agricultural debt alone stands at a staggering R220 billion and is growing at a rate of 9% per annum. But what if the secret to navigating such significant financial challenges – both in business and in your personal life – lies in understanding how to form and leverage essential partnerships? In this episode, we explore the crucial role of partners like your banker, insurer, and suppliers in achieving financial stability and progress. We delve into how knowing "what to do" through these partnerships can be as calming as knowing "how to sleep".
 
Discover how insurance acts as a vital safety net, offering key benefits such as:- Financial protection against unforeseen events, including medical and health issues, asset and property damage, and income loss.- Peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your goals and take calculated risks with confidence, knowing you are covered for potential losses.- Economic stability, enabling quicker recovery from setbacks like operational interruptions, lawsuits, and property damage, so your business can continue thriving.- Practical ways to manage responsibilities and reduce exposure to risks, which can even lead to better terms and cost savings.
 
We will uncover the qualities that define a truly successful partnership, whether in business or personal life: a shared vision and goals, mutual trust, complementary strengths, and a deep commitment to the relationship and long-term success. While some partnerships can be disastrous, the right ones are monuments to what can be achieved, enabling you to grow, innovate, and tackle challenges you wouldn't be able to handle alone.
 
Just like a marriage, these relationships, though sometimes challenging, are where the most rewarding progress happens. Learn how to tailor your partnerships and plans to your unique needs, ensuring you're never left in the lurch and can go about your business without worry.

SA Labour Law Unpacked: Managing Employee Terminations

Navigating the complexities of ending employment relationships in South Africa's strictly regulated labour environment is crucial for employers. This episode provides essential guidance on managing employee terminations to ensure compliance with applicable labour legislation and avoid unnecessary risks.
We delve into the various ways a service relationship can be concluded, including:
 
- Voluntary resignation by the employee.
- Dismissal of an employee following a disciplinary process.
- Dismissal due to an incapacity process, such as poor work performance or medical unsuitability.
- Retrenchment after a staff reduction process.
- The employee reaching the agreed retirement age, where service ends according to a valid contract or workplace policy.
- The expiry of a fixed-term employment contract on its stipulated end date.
- The death of the employee.
 
We emphasize the critical importance of following the correct procedures and maintaining the necessary supporting documentation when an employment relationship is terminated. Failure to adhere to these procedures, especially if a case is referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), can expose employers to significant financial damages of up to 12 months' salary of the employee concerned.
 
 
Furthermore, we explore the nuances of handling resignations, clarifying that an employee does not have a right to withdraw a resignation but can reach an agreement with the employer for such a withdrawal. We discuss the employer's two options when faced with a withdrawal request: either refusing it, in which case the initial resignation stands, or accepting it, allowing the employment relationship to continue without interruption. Employers are also advised to consult with employees regarding suspicious or impulsive resignations and allow for a cooling-off period to prevent potential claims of constructive dismissal or unfair labour practices.
 
 
The episode also addresses the requirements for valid resignations, noting that Section 37(4)(a) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act stipulates that resignations must be in writing, unless the employee is illiterate. However, an oral resignation can be valid under certain circumstances if the employer can clearly prove the employee's unambiguous actions demonstrating an intent to terminate service, such as verbally resigning and leaving the premises, returning company equipment, or immediately accepting work elsewhere.
 
 
We provide practical advice on documenting an employee's behaviour in writing if they resign orally and formally informing them that the resignation is accepted as voluntary. Finally, we clarify that an employee cannot dismiss themselves; if an employee leaves service without notice or explanation (known as "dros" or absence without leave), it constitutes a disciplinary offense requiring the employer to follow a proper disciplinary process to ensure a substantively and procedurally fair dismissal. Only through resignation can an employee lawfully terminate the employment relationship from their side.

Smart Licks, Healthy Herds: Unlocking Livestock Nutrition

This episode dives deep into the world of animal feed supplements, known as 'lekke,' explaining how understanding your animals' changing nutritional needs can significantly boost your farm's bottom line.
Discover the four essential categories of licks – mineral, protein, energy, and production – and learn how to choose the right one based on your animals' production stage, the type and quality of available pasture (whether green or dry), and even seasonal variations.
 
 
Mineral licks (Phosphate Licks): Understand their crucial role in animal health and economics. These licks typically contain macro-minerals like calcium (12%), phosphorus (6%), magnesium, sulfur, and potassium, as well as trace elements such as manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine, iron, and selenium. They are most effective when pasture is in its active growth phase, as this is often when phosphate and other trace elements are deficient. Phosphate supplementation offers significant economic advantages, including increased calving percentage (reproduction), weaning mass, milk production, occupation, and growth, primarily by stimulating increased grazing intake. However, phosphate licks should not be used as the sole supplement on dry pasture and need to be supplemented with protein and energy when low-quality roughage is used.
 
 
Protein Licks: Explore how to effectively supplement dry, low-quality forage. Protein licks typically contain around 25% protein, less than 45% total digestible nutrients (TDN), and a maximum of 10% urea, alongside other minerals and Vitamin A. They are essential when animals graze on stubble land, dry ryegrass, straw, and dry veld where dry, low-digestible feed is abundant. The sources distinguish between protein licks that are primarily urea-based (more than 80% of protein from urea) and those with more natural and bypass protein (less than 60% of protein from urea). Urea-dominant licks benefit maintenance animals on pasture or roughage containing less than 1% nitrogen or approximately 6% protein. Protein licks with less urea and more natural protein are better suited for young, growing animals and wool sheep on dry pasture. Signs of protein deficiency include significantly reduced grazing, even with ample dry roughage, and small, black, very dry, and hard manure.
 
 
Energy Licks: Learn when to use these for animals on protein-rich green pastures or when forage intake is low. Energy licks usually provide 15–16% protein, more than 45% TDN, and 8 MJ ME/kg energy, along with various minerals. Some energy licks include an ionophore, which inhibits less efficient rumen microbes, improves digestion, and increases energy release from feed, leading to better feed conversion. These are advisable for animals grazing on protein-rich green pastures like lucerne, medics, and ryegrass, or when dry matter intake is low due to pasture shortage. Green pasture is typically low in energy but high in soluble and degradable protein, and rumen microbes require energy to convert ammonia-nitrogen into protein. Energy licks fed with green pasture should preferably not contain non-protein nitrogen (NPN).
 
 
Production Licks: Uncover how these nutrient-dense supplements support growing young animals, late-pregnant, and lactating livestock. Production licks generally contain about 20% protein, more than 54% TDN, and 8 MJ ME/kg energy, in addition to essential minerals. They are excellent for animals with high nutritional demands due to their production status, such as growing young animals and late-pregnant and lactating animals on dry pasture. These licks must contain sufficient bypass protein to meet the higher protein needs of these animals. While production licks are more expensive due to their higher intake (approximately three times that of maintenance licks), their strategic use for the shortest possible period without sacrificing efficiency is crucial. The potential loss of income from, for example, a cow failing to conceive, far outweighs the cost of a strategically used production lick.
 
 
Safety First: Get vital advice on handling urea-containing licks, including adaptation periods and avoiding toxicity. It's crucial to remember that excess urea is toxic, and rumen microbes need to adapt to it. Animals receiving urea supplements for the first time are more sensitive than those on a continuous urea regimen.
For animals unaccustomed to urea-containing licks, it is recommended to provide only a salt lick for about seven days beforehand to prevent a salt craving when the urea-containing lick is introduced. Always ensure that licks do not get wet, as urea dissolves easily in water that collects in the troughs, which can lead to poisoning if animals consume the water.

Revolutionizing FMD Control: Peroxsil for Sustainable Farm Biosecurity in South Africa

In this episode, we explore the challenges of managing FMD, including the virus's ability to survive in water, soil, and on surfaces for up to a month, and even become airborne. We also critically examine commonly used disinfectants.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns, warning against spraying or fogging certain chemicals like chlorine-based agents due to adverse health effects on workers. Traditional surface disinfectants, including hypochlorite, can contain toxins classified as health hazards and pollutants.
 
But there's good news! We introduce Peroxsil, a groundbreaking hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant distributed by Ladismith Powder. Developed in response to the global agricultural sector's demand for sustainability and eco-friendly products, Peroxsil stands out as a powerful, effective, and broad-spectrum solution that is safe for people, animals, and the environment.
This chlorine- and alcohol-free solution disinfects through oxidization, degrades harmlessly into water and oxygen, and poses no corrosive effects on most construction materials, making it one of the safest disinfection modes available. Rigorous tests by the Agricultural Research Council have confirmed Peroxsil's efficacy in killing the FMD virus at doses safe for both humans and animals. It acts as a fungicide, antibiotic, virucide, and nematicide.
 
Ultimately, it's up to livestock farmers to choose products that align with sound environmental, social, and governance (ESG) business ethics, ensuring proper usage in accordance with label instructions. Join us as we highlight why embracing innovative, verified solutions like Peroxsil is essential for effective FMD control and the long-term health of your farm.

Unlocking Peak Performance: The Pillars of Effective Dry Cow Management

Join us for an insightful episode where we dive deep into effective dry cow management and its fundamental role in preparing a cow to reach her full milk potential during the subsequent lactation period. This crucial phase lays the groundwork for her health and nutrition in the next cycle.
We'll explore the four essential pillars that ensure a successful dry period:
 
Body Condition Score (BCS): Discover why monitoring BCS is considered the most important of the four pillars. We'll discuss the ideal BCS at key stages like drying off (BCS 3), calving (BCS 3-3.25), and breeding (minimum 2.75).
 
Learn about the negative impacts of both high BCS (e.g., increased NEFA levels, metabolic disorders like ketosis, depressed peak milk yield) and low BCS (reduced milk yield, lameness, lower conception rates). We'll also emphasize the importance of addressing BCS issues in late lactation, not just during the dry period.
 
Management: Understand how crucial proper farm-level management is for a correct dry cow system and its significant "knock-on effect" throughout the subsequent lactation. We'll cover optimal dry period duration (around 60 days) and the risks of extended dry periods leading to over-conditioned cows.
 
Key management considerations include minimising group changes to avoid impacting dry matter intake, providing adequate housing with one cubicle and one feed space per cow, ensuring clean water access, and managing grazing properly. Learn about the critical need to monitor pit face and forage for moulds, which can cause serious issues like abortions or metritis, and the importance of regular feed trough cleaning.
 
Nutrition: Feeding the dry cow correctly is fundamental. We'll delve into nutritional strategies like the Controlled Energy High-Fibre (CEHF) diet, a single Total Mixed Ration (TMR) system known to benefit permpartum health, dry matter intake (DMI), and overall productivity.
 
We'll discuss managing DMI around 11 kilograms and the use of chopped straw (2.5 to 5 kg) as a crucial filler to control intake, dilute high-quality silage, and manage potassium levels, all while maintaining rumen function.
The role of protein sources (like soybean meal or slow-release urea) for rumen health and colostrum quality will be highlighted, along with the benefits of including some concentrate to help rumen bacteria adapt post-calving. A survey of 277 farms showed that correctly implementing this diet led to a 60% reduction in metabolic disorders.
 
Minerals: Often overlooked, the quality and quantity of minerals are vital. We'll explain why a mineral analysis of forage is the only accurate way to determine supplementation needs.
Crucially, we'll differentiate between inorganic salts (like sodium selenite and copper sulphate), which animals don't utilise as effectively, and organic minerals, which are absorbed, stored, and used more efficiently.
 
Discover how feeding organic forms helps build the cow’s immune system, offering greater protection from metabolic diseases during stressful periods, and improves overall cow performance, including udder health and reproductive function.
 
Tune in to learn how mastering these pillars can lead to a healthier herd, fewer calving issues, and improved milk production.

The Dairy Dynamo Duo: Farmers & Nutritionists Unpacked

In today's modern dairy industry, where efficiency, sustainability, and animal welfare are paramount, the collaboration between dairy farmers and animal nutritionists is more vital than ever before. This isn't just about milking cows; it's a complex, science-driven enterprise where nutrition is crucial for productivity, profitability, and herd health.
Join us as we explore how this essential partnership is transforming dairy farming: - Optimizing Productivity through Tailored Nutrition: Discover how nutritionists develop precise, science-based feeding programs customized for specific breeds, lactation stages, and local feed resources. Learn how they balance rations for energy, protein, fiber, and minerals to maximize milk production and improve milk quality – directly impacting farm profitability. - Enhancing Animal Health and Welfare: Understand the critical role nutritionists play in preventing common health issues like metabolic disorders, low fertility, and mastitis. We'll delve into how designed diets support immune function, digestive health, and reproductive performance, leading to reduced veterinary costs and better overall animal welfare.- Boosting Feed Efficiency and Reducing Costs: Feed can account for over 60% of total expenses. Hear how nutritionists help farmers optimize feed efficiency, producing more milk per unit of feed, by analyzing ingredients and adjusting rations based on performance data. This partnership is key to reducing waste and making the most of on-farm resources. - Fostering Knowledge Transfer and Innovation: Explore the two-way knowledge exchange where nutritionists provide advice on novel feed technologies and best practices, while farmers offer invaluable practical insights. This collaboration drives continuous improvement and a deeper understanding of dairy science.
This partnership combines practical farm knowledge with scientific expertise to create feeding programs that maximize production, promote animal health, control costs, and meet environmental goals. In an era of tight margins and the need to do more with fewer resources, this collaboration is essential, not optional, guaranteeing long-term success and resilience for dairy operations.

Dairy Digits: Key Market Indicators and Price Trends

Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of dairy, drawing insights directly from the latest 'Dairy Digits' report, a valuable feature compiled by Milk SA.
In this episode, we'll unpack the key market indicators that are shaping the industry, focusing primarily on the South African dairy sector with a look at international price trends. We'll discuss the latest figures on unprocessed milk purchased, noting the estimated 3.56% increase for 2024 to 3,458 '000 tonnes, though April 2025 estimates show a slight decrease of 1.88%. We’ll also examine the significant shifts in South Africa's dairy imports and exports, highlighting a notable 30.1% decrease in imports for 2024 and a 33.6% decrease from January to April 2025, while exports have seen an increase, particularly when including sales to other SACU countries.
Furthermore, we'll explore the crucial price trends, examining the Producer Price Index (PPI) for unprocessed milk—which was 100.5 in April 2025, down 5.81% from the previous year—and the PPI of dairy products, which saw a slight increase of 0.2% to 104.4 in April 2025. We'll also touch upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for milk, cheese, and eggs, providing a comprehensive view of price movements. To give you a global perspective, we’ll analyze the international free on board (FOB) prices for key dairy products like Butter, Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP), Cheddar, and Full-Cream Milk Powder (FMP), tracking their movements from January 2014 right up to May 2025.
Join us as we explore these vital statistics to understand the current state and future signals of the dairy industry. Let's get started!