
Episode 19: Conversations That Matter with Farmstrong
From Maximum Production by Holstein Friesian NZ
August 14, 2025 · 57 min · Season 1 · Episode 19
About this episode
This episode discusses mental fitness and practical tools for farmers to manage stress and build relationships.
In this episode sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, we sit down with Kane Brisco, a Taranaki dairy farmer, founder of Farm Fit NZ, and author of Tools for the Top Paddock , alongside Gerard Vaughan, wellbeing lead at Farmstrong, New Zealand’s rural mental health initiative. This conversation tackles the challenges farmers face behind the farm gate, from stress and burnout to communication and resilience. Kane and Gerard share practical tools and personal stories to help farmers take care of their mental fitness, manage workload, and build stronger relationships at home and on the farm. Whether you're deep in calving season or just looking for ways to stay grounded, this episode offers real, relatable advice to help you thrive, not just survive, in farming. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Farmstrong Kanes Facebook Page: Farm Fit NZ Kane’s Book: Tools for the Top Paddock
People in this episode
Guests: Kane Brisco, Gerard Vaughan
Topics covered
- mental health
- farming challenges
- stress management
- communication
- resilience
- work-life balance
Keywords
- farming
- mental fitness
- stress
- burnout
- communication
- resilience
- Farmstrong
Sponsors
Boehringer Ingelheim
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Farmstrong
Books & works: Tools for the Top Paddock
Places: Taranaki
More episodes of Maximum Production
- Episode 28: A New Era in Calf Milk Replacer · May 14, 2026 · 37 min
- Episode 27: Key Insights into Drying-Off Decisions · April 15, 2026 · 23 min
- Episode 26: Wearables Revolutionising Dairy · March 17, 2026 · 32 min
- Episode 25: Sale Day Success · February 14, 2026 · 37 min
- Episode 24: Judging Dairy Excellence · January 14, 2026 · 44 min
- Episode 23: Global Dairy Perspective- Farming USA · December 14, 2025 · 56 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Maximum Production podcast page.