An employment agreement defines the rules of the working relationship between the employee and the farm owner/manager on a dairy farm. It must be in writing, and the employer is responsible for arranging it.

Wearable technologies (such as cow collars) are becoming a popular tool for assisting with reproductive management. In 2025, around 1 in 5 dairy farms are using wearables , mostly to help with heat detection, a factor in getting cows in calf.

How to interpret rumination data and use daily rumination time for day-to-day decision-making.

Top episode of 2025! Find out how farmers Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson built one of NZ’s best herds. They share the smart choices and tools that helped them reach the top 1% for Breeding Worth. Listen now for tips to improve your herd.

What’s the return for your levy investment? Get the answer and the facts from an independent return on investment report. And find out what else DairyNZ is doing to boost transparency and keep dairy competitive.

Better decisions start with better data. Hear how DairyNZ research using wearables is paving the way for practical solutions to improve cow comfort and productivity on your farm.

How are farmers helping to shape DairyNZ’s animal care research and why does it matter for our global competitiveness? Penny Timmer-Arends and Dr Stacey Hendriks explain market expectations and the key factors influencing cow comfort.

Animal welfare goes beyond just daily care for animals on farm . It means adhering to standards set out by the Animal Welfare Act and welfare codes, and meeting consumer and market expectations.

Benchmarking your business just got easier. DairyBase now links with Farm Focus – and soon MINDA & Fonterra – for seamless data flow. Hear how these upgrades will save you time and deliver faster insights.

A community partnership between a Waikato Farm, Raukawa Charitable Trust and DairyNZ, has transformed land that was once swampy and overgrown with rushes. It’s now a thriving wetland and a source of pride for the landowner and the local community.

Riparian planting can enhance your land, waterways, and biodiversity. Get tips and guidance for planting to ensure your planting is effective and economical.

DairyNZ is advocating for fair and scientifically robust targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We also seek a regulatory environment that enables dairy farmers to easily adopt mitigation technologies as they become available.

Milk prices are holding steady while costs remain high. DairyNZ economist Ben Marmont explain what this means for your farm business this season.

Area Manager - North and Central Otago