In the Shed

Lifting the Standard: When Farmers Share Their Numbers

In this episode of In the Shed with Trev, host Sheryl Haitana is joined by Casey Brown from the P3 Trust, monitor farmer Teagan Gray, and Perrin Ag consultant Rhys Dawson to explore what happens when farmers open up their numbers and learn from each other.

On the Hauraki Plains, the P3 Trust brings farmers together to share real farm data, compare systems, and see what’s actually driving profit. Teagan shares what it’s like to put your numbers out there, and how that transparency builds confidence and sharpens decision-making.

Rhys provides a consultant’s view on what separates high-performing farms, with a clear focus on pasture grown and utilised on farm as a key driver of profit. Casey outlines how access to timely, relevant data helps farmers make faster, more informed decisions when it matters most.

This is a practical look at how shared data and benchmarking turn insight into action, helping farmers make better calls, reduce uncertainty, and lift performance over time.

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What you'll hear

  • Why the P3 Trust was created and how monitor farms are helping lift farm performance across the Hauraki Plains.
  • What separates high-profit farms from the rest, and why homegrown feed remains one of the biggest drivers of profitability.
  • The challenges and rewards of sharing farm performance data, and why benchmarking can build confidence in your decision-making.
  • The key numbers to look at throughout the season to stay ahead of potential issues.
  • Why farmer-to-farmer learning remains one of the most powerful tools for improving productivity, profitability, and resilience.

Who's in the Shed?

Sheryl Haitana, Host
With a background in ag journalism and communications, Sheryl Haitana leads SpadeWorks Communications and focuses on New Zealand’s primary sector. She brings strong industry knowledge and hands-on experience, offering a practical perspective on farm businesses, people and day-to-day operations.

Casey Brown, Dairy Farmer & P3 Trustee

Farming on the Hauraki Plains milking around 360 cows, Casey Brown is a trustee of the P3 Trust, helping drive farmer-led progress across the region. He focuses on lifting performance through shared knowledge, benchmarking and practical, on-farm decision-making.

Teagan Gray, Dairy Farmer

Teagan Gray is a fifth-generation farmer on the Hauraki Plains, managing her family’s 480-cow dairy operation. As a P3 monitor farmer, she shares farm data and performance regularly, using it to back decisions, improve system efficiency and drive better results on farm.

Rhys Dawson, Perrin Ag, Consultant 

As a consultant with Perrin Ag, Rhys Dawson works with farmers to interpret data, identify key drivers of performance and support better decision-making. His focus is on helping farm businesses turn data into practical insights that improve profitability and system performance.

A few takeaways worth chewing on

  • The farmers getting the most value from data aren't necessarily collecting the most - they're focusing on the numbers that drive decisions.
  • It takes a fair bit of confidence to put your farm's performance under the microscope. Yet some of the biggest gains come from being willing to share and learn from others.
  • There is no silver bullet - the best operators are often winning through lots of small improvements rather than one breakthrough idea.
  • If you're collecting data, can you point to a decision you've made because of it?
  • Sometimes the most valuable insight isn't hidden in a report. It's sitting across the table from somebody who's already solved the problem you're facing.

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