Recording which cows are managed together in herd management groups ensures cows are compared with cows managed under the same conditions. This gives more accurate information for breeding, culling, feeding and long-term herd improvement decisions.

A 2024/25 study of 10 New Zealand dairy farms explored how tech, milking frequency, and people management boost productivity. See the impact on performance, expenses, and task efficiency via seasonal comparisons across the farms.

Down cows can add pressure at calving. Hear how a clear plan and the “pattern of two” can help you act early, support cow recovery and keep your team on track.

Calf scours refers to diarrhoea in calves. It is not a disease itself, but a sign that something is disrupting normal digestion. Scours can quickly lead to dehydration, so early identification and treatment are important.

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Could solar work on your farm? Hear from Chris McArthur from EECA and dairy farmer Rhys Mackenzie about where solar and batteries add value, and what to think about before you invest.

You don’t need all the answers to start planning what’s next. Live from People Expo, this is a practical Talking Dairy In 10 conversation on progression, succession, and taking the first step.

Mastitis can be a significant cost on dairy farms, making timely detection important. There are mastitis detection tools and technologies available in New Zealand that can support, but not replace, good mastitis management and farmer judgement.

Moving animals on and off farm has its risks. A common way for mastitis bacteria to be introduced into a herd is in the udders of cows that are brought in. These bacteria can spread rapidly through a herd, so it is important to mitigate risk factors.

Effluent ponds must meet seepage limits to protect the environment and comply with council requirements. This page explains Pond Drop Testing (PDT), how it measures leakage, what’s involved, how to interpret results, and when retesting may be needed.