Hanlie du Plessis
EDITOR
The Dairy Mail is a monthly publication, featuring articles for the dairy industry in Afrikaans
and English, and has been published on behalf of the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) for
the past 30 years. In partnership with the MPO, The Dairy Mail is regarded as the trusted and
authoritative voice of the South African dairy industry and the only magazine in the country
that solely serves the dairy industry through its 100% targeted content.
The editorial content aims to provide milk producers with tools and information that will
enable them to not only survive but thrive despite industry challenges. It keeps the South
African producer informed and in touch with global dairy developments and research.
The Dairy Mail is 100% subscriber-based and custom-delivered to dairy farmers, milk buyers,
processors, veterinarians, research institutions, and other stakeholders in the dairy industry.
Fast Facts
Format:
ABC distribution figure:
Digital edition:
Frequency:
Average print run:
LSM target audience:
Monthly
1 500
9–10
Readers Feedback
%
of readers consider The Dairy Mail as a relevant and useful source of information** and 67,2% consider the magazine and the MPO’s social media platforms as their primary source of dairy information.
%
of readers say the magazine content meets their needs and 93,5% consider The Dairy Mail as value for money.
%
of readers consider The Dairy Mail as a targeted, scientific, and credible source of information, compared to other publications.
%
of readers enjoy reading a printed copy of the magazine, while 52,5% (51,7%**) of readers enjoy reading a digital copy. A total of 85,3% of readers indicated that they are likely to accept digital content.
%
of readers enjoy reading The Dairy Mail in Afrikaans and 45,9% of readers enjoy reading The Dairy Mail in English.
Magazines
Please email charlene@agriconnect.co.za for older editions.
Themes 2024
Themes are predetermined and fixed, but bulleted sub-themes may change, subject to editorial content requirements and industry developments.
JANUARY
THE GROWTH ISSUE
We all possess the capacity for growth, and there are numerous areas in our lives in which we can grow. Are you currently in the process of expanding your business? Or do you need to re-evaluate the phase of development your business is in? There are many factors to consider when contemplating growth, ranging from economic and personal development to your business growth strategy. The Dairy Mail serves as your guide to growth this month.
- Tips to increase your profit
- Investment options
- Increasing the capacity of your farm
- Do you have a need to upgrade any of your systems?
FEBRUARY
THE DOMINO EFFECT
The choices we make all have consequences, especially on a dairy farm. The decisions you make now will only yield either positive or negative results further down the line. A domino effect or chain reaction is the cumulative outcome produced when one event triggers a sequence of similar or other events. A dairy farmer knows this all too well and needs to be continuously informed about the various effects the environment will have on the well-being of their business.
- Succession planning
- Diagnosing problems and matching solutions
- Risk analysis
- How to plan for the unknown
MARCH
THE AUTUMN ISSUE
Autumn is a season of change. It’s the time when the daylight hours shorten, and the temperature cools considerably. Out with the old, in with the new, time to reflect. What needs to change on your farm? Or do you have to revisit the basics and ensure their proper implementation? It is a good time to consider what no longer serves you, what you need to let go of, and what needs to wither away.
- Preparing for the summer
- Are your herd’s feeding requirements met?
- Out with the old, in with the new
- Back to basics
APRIL
TAKING THE LEAD
What kind of leader do you aspire to be? The leadership strategy you adopt will ultimately determine whether your business succeeds or fails. So, it is important to dedicate some time to reflect on the effect your decisions as a leader can have on your business. Good leaders take a personal interest in the long-term development of their employees and they use their skills to ignite a passion within their team to perform at their best. As a farm is not only a business but also a community hub, your leadership style will have an even bigger influence on your surroundings and the dairy industry as a whole. Let The Dairy Mail be your partner in honing your leadership skills.
- How to be a better leader
- How to stay competitive in your industry
- What can I do to make a difference in the community?
MAY
BRIGHT IDEAS
A farmer always has a plan up their sleeve! In this issue, we brainstorm new and innovative ideas together. How can we discover creative solutions to complex problems. The Dairy Mail aims to shift your perspective and inspire you to get those creative juices flowing.
- Innovative ideas
- The latest products and gadgets
- Investing in the future
- How to find creative solutions to complex problems
JUNE
WINTER ISSUE
Winter is a season for reflection, rumination, and the prudent use of resources. It’s a time to take stock of what you have and contemplate how to make the most of your available resources.
- How to keep milk production up in the winter
- Winter management and nutrition
- Reflecting on production strategies
JULY
FIT TO FIGHT
Change is the name of the game. Without it, life has no purpose. Change can also be intimidating, but that is when resilience comes into play. Resilience is sometimes hard to define, but at The Dairy Mail we believe it means being fit to fight. It is our ability to bounce back from obstacles and adapt to challenges by understanding and preparing for times of change. How can we become fit to fight? In this issue, we search for the answer together.
- How to adapt to change
- Preparing for the worst – do you have a plan?
- How do you store feed for a rainy day?
- Expanding on a budget
- Keeping up with new technologies – is it worth the risk?
AUGUST
THE NUMBER ISSUE
The main aim of the game is to achieve a balanced budget, but there are many numbers you can manipulate to get this. Discover the potential within these numbers, learn how to leverage statistics to your advantage, and find ways to identify gaps in those spreadsheets, thereby creating room for growth.
- Big data and to use it effectively
- How to understand statistics
- How to manage your large herd – better
- How to grow your business
- Gathering the big data/numbers – measuring systems
- Budget tips
SEPTEMBER
SPRING ISSUE
Spring is in the air, we can all feel its presence. It is a season of growth and fruitfulness, a time to contemplate new opportunities and discover fresh new purposes. As flowers, leaves, plants, and trees begin to blossom all around, they are a beautiful reminder of the wonders of nature.
- Spring clean – what do you need and what must go
- Hygiene
- How to see and make use of new opportunities
- Ways to improve your milk production
- Artificial insemination
- The wonders of nature
OCTOBER
DO IT YOURSELF
Becoming more self-sufficient is a strategy that could prove beneficial in the long run, especially as the quality of government services continue to decline each year. This forces the private sector to invest in areas such as solar power and alternative water resources. With an ‘I can do it myself’ attitude, individuals can discover innovative solutions instead of succumbing to environmental and economic challenges. It is all about thinking ahead.
- Investing in alternative energy – what does it look like?
- Managing water resources
- Building and strengthening a community
- Safety on a farm – do I need to invest in extra security?
- The ‘do-it-yourself’ attitude
NOVEMBER
LOCAL IS LEKKER
The dairy industry often lauds South African farmers as among the finest globally. Farmers in this country have developed resilience and the ability to adapt to a multitude of challenges that farmers in other countries might not encounter. This is precisely why The Dairy Mail seeks to celebrate the contributions of the local dairy industry and its farmers.
- How to stay internationally competitive
- Interviews with some of our local farmers
- Celebrating local role players and heroes in the industry
- Summary of the South African dairy industry
DECEMBER
SUMMER ISSUE
As the last season of the year gives way to a new one, you can look forward to spending more time with your family and enjoying the outdoors.
The cows will need more attention, given the likely effects of changing temperatures and the muddy conditions during the rainy season. But most of all, it’s a time to welcome the new and bid farewell to the old.
- How to cope with heat stress
- How to manage muddy conditions
- How to unwind
- Succession planning
- Water conservation
- Highlights of the year past
Deadlines 2024
THE DAIRY MAIL – EDITION
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
VOLUME 31 – NUMBER
1
2
3
4
5
6
Advertorials and supplements
30-Nov
09-Jan
06-Feb
01-Mar
28-Mar
07-May
Advertisement bookings and final artwork
08-Dec
16-Jan
13-Feb
08-Mar
05-Apr
14-May
To print
05-Jan
23-Jan
20-Feb
15-Mar
12-Apr
21-May
THE DAIRY MAIL – EDITION
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
VOLUME 31 – NUMBER
7
8
9
10
11
12
Advertorials and supplements
28-May
25-Jun
30-Jul
30-Aug
25-Sept
24-Oct
Advertisement bookings and final artwork
04-Jun
02-Jul
06-Aug
06-Sept
01-Oct
31-Oct
To print
11-Jun
09-Jul
13-Aug
13-Sept
08-Oct
07-Nov
