Nichelle Steyn
EDITOR
The Dairy Mail is a monthly publication, featuring articles for the dairy industry in Afrikaans and English, published on behalf of the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) for the past 27 years. It aspires to be the trusted and authoritative voice of the South African dairy industry, as it partners with the MPO. The Dairy Mail is the official communication platform of the MPO, and the only magazine in the country that serves the dairy industry through 100% targeted content, celebrating milestones and events with our industry partners, and supporting farmers when times are tough. In difficult times, the focus is on providing readers with tools and information that will enable them to not only survive but thrive in spite of circumstances beyond their control.
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
2 600
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 henko@agriconnect.co.za for older editions.
Themes 2023
Themes are predetermined and fixed, but bulleted sub-themes may change, subject to editorial content requirements and industry developments.
JANUARY
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Strength in numbers is an old concept humans adopted to survive the merciless environment they had to adapt to. It can also be seen in nature. However, today we can easily forget to make use of this valuable resource. In this issue, we will most likely feature articles about:
- Teamwork
- How to strengthen relationships in your community
- How you can grow your herd and the impact of such a strategy
- How to be a good leader to strengthen relationships
- How to have an effective team of consultants and experts to help you run your farm
- How to use numbers (data) to your advantage
FEBRUARY
WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?
Who moved my cheese? – a bestseller book written by Dr Spencer Johnson, is all about dealing with change. These days change is about all that is guaranteed in life. We all must deal with it. We can either approach it with fear, or we can empower and equip ourselves to adapt and prosper. Articles in this issue are likely to include:
- Technology (how to embrace it and not be afraid of it)
- Practical changes in farm management that can make an enormous difference
- New management strategies out there and how we can implement them
- How to farm more sustainably, to make sure we avoid future climate change policy challenges.
- Dealing with an ever-changing world while still making a profit.
MARCH
THE AUTUMN ISSUE
Autumn is a season of change, a season in which you strip down to the basics and prepare for the winter. Practically, there are a lot to consider and prepare for, on farm. We will most likely feature articles about:
- Feed – how to get ready for the winter months
- Who deserves a place in your herd (culling low producing cows)
- Cutting your running costs
- Vaccinations and biosecurity
APRIL
THINK BIG
In this issue, we go all-out, we encourage you to experience life to the fullest and we want you to be bold! Do not be afraid to dream big … go look at that big tractor, think about expanding and building on what you already have. In this issue, we will most likely feature articles about:
- How to be a bold leader
- Tractors and equipment – are they worth the money to upgrade
- Growing my herd – practical tips
- Expanding my milk parlour – is it a good idea?
MAY
PEOPLE OF DAIRY (SUPERHERO ISSUE)
No one is an island. We all have someone that we looked up to, and if you are lucky, you will still have a mentor to guide you when you do not know what to do. In this issue, we celebrate all the faces of dairy who work tirelessly to make the industry a success. Possible articles include:
- Networking
- The importance of surrounding yourself with a trustworthy team
- Articles about dairy heroes
- Mentoring – the importance of having one and being one to others
JUNE
WINTER ISSUE
Winter is a time for reflection. It is also a time to ruminate and a time to use resources sparingly, to take stock of what you have and think about how you can get the most out of available resources. In this issue, some of the topics we will most likely cover are:
- How to keep milk production up in the winter
- Winter management and nutrition
- Reflecting on production strategies
- Back to basics
- Why do cows ruminate?
JULY
BRIGHT IDEAS
A farmer always has a plan up his sleeve! In this issue, we brainstorm together on new and innovative ideas. How can we find creative solutions to complicated problems. We aim to change your perspective and challenge you to let those creative juices flow! Likely topics are likely to include:
- Innovative ideas
- The latest products and gadgets
- Investing in the future
- How to find creative solutions to complicated problems
AUGUST
THE NUMBER ISSUE
The main aim of the game is for your budget to balance, but there are a lot of numbers you can play with to make that happen. See the opportunities in numbers, how to use statistics to your advantage, and how to see the gaps in those spreadsheets to create space for growth. In this issue, some of the topics we will most likely cover are:
- 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 it. It is a season of growth and fruitfulness. A season to think about new opportunities, and a season to find new purpose.
All around you, flowers, leaves, plants, and trees start to blossom, and it reminds you of how wonderful nature is. Some of the topics likely to feature include:
- 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
THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY
Land of milk and honey is an idiomatic expression used today to refer to a place full of comfort and luxury, but on a dairy farm, the cows are the queens who must be comfortable to produce more milk! We all seek prosperity, and we want to make a success of our business. Our farm can add value to a community, and we can help build the land we want to live in. In this issue, we will most likely feature articles about:
- Adding value to your business
- Being more involved in your community
- Expanding into the value chain
- Are your cows as comfortable as possible
- How to prosper
NOVEMBER
ALL THINGS GREEN
Sustainability was and still is a buzz word. It will be for a long time, and it should become part of business ethos. We all have a responsibility to look after nature – especially farmers as they work closer with nature and animals than most people. Articles are likely to be about:
- Sustainability
- Green ideas
- Animal welfare
- Green technologies
- Soil health
DECEMBER
SUMMER ISSUE
It is the last season of the year, and the start of a new season! You can look forward to spending more time with your family and spending more time outside.
The cows need more attention as they will probably be affected by the change in temperature and the mud (rainy season), but most of all we will celebrate the new, and say goodbye to the old. In this issue, we will most likely feature topics such as:
- How to cope with heat stress
- How to manage muddy conditions
- How to unwind
- Succession planning
- Water conservation
- Highlights of the year past
Deadlines 2023
THE DAIRY MAIL – EDITION
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
VOLUME 30 – NUMBER
7
8
9
10
11
12
Advertorials and supplements
30-May
27-Jun
01-Aug
29-Aug
26-Sep
18-Oct
Advertisement bookings and complete artwork – ad placements
06-Jun
04-Jul
08-Aug
05-Sep
03-Oct
31-Oct
To print
13-Jun
11-Jul
15-Aug
12-Sep
10-Oct
07-Nov
