Automated mastitis detection (AMD) systems are technology tools used on dairy farms to identify signs of mastitis in cows by monitoring milk for specific indicators.

Tail management is crucial in dairy farming to ensure animal welfare and a positive working environment. Tail injuries can cause pain and impact how cows communicate.

Autumn pasture management in dairy farming involves focusing on average pasture cover and cow condition to prepare for spring.

Dry cows should be checked weekly for changes in the udder and quarters, especially during the last two weeks of their lactation and in the first two weeks of their dry period.

Dietary fibre is essential for a cow's healthy rumen function. This page explains that when cows eat fibre, it stimulates chewing, saliva production, and rumination.

Theileriosis is a cattle disease spread by ticks, causing anaemia and sometimes death, especially in calves and cows during calving.

Johne’s disease is a long term, infectious disease that affects the gut of cows and reduces their ability to absorb nutrients. There is no cure, so management focuses on reducing the risk of spread.

Good platform design in dairy farming keeps both cows and people safe, while enhancing cow flow into the dairy.

Dairy exit and entry races refer to the design of the pathways that lead cows in and out of the milking platform. Good exit and entry design can speed up the milking process and reduce cow injuries.

Thousands of New Zealand dairy cattle are wintered and/or grazed off farm. There are many ways graziers can protect the health of the stock they manage.

Tokoroa Pastoral Ltd is 70ha of Taupo deep sand soil type, milking 175 cows (2.6 cows/ha). The farm operates at system 2, with 7% of the annual feed supply brought onto the farm.

The philosophy of this Tatua supply farm business has been to grow wealth through being profitable and sustainable.

Jon and Birgit Pemberton are owner-operators of a 139ha farm in Brydone, milking approximately 400 cows producing 560 kg MS/cow through a 28-aside herringbone dairy with in-shed feeding. They supply milk to Open Country Dairy.

Rachel and Kenneth Shorts' self-contained, very low input, organic, coastal Taranaki farm is embracing regenerative pasture management practices. 

Read more on how DairyNZ is understanding how predicted changes to climate will affect cow health and welfare.

Missed milkings due to power cuts or extreme weather events can be managed with minimal negative impacts on milk production. DairyNZ research indicates that cows in mid-lactation can tolerate delays, but early lactation cows require more care.

Ben Wilson contract milks two family-owned dairy farm properties near Kirwee, Canterbury. The farms are owned in an equity partnership between Ben, his parents and his brother.

A three-day course to help dairy farmers at any business stage. It offers tools and coaching to create wealth, set aligned goals, and analyse your farm business. Delivered by DairyNZ.

Corrie and Donna Smit own this low input farm business near Edgecumbe, milking on two similar-sized platforms with a support block providing the majority of winter and young stock grazing.

Dairy stockmanship covers interactions between cows and people, and when practised effectively, creates a safe and efficient work environment; it also improves animal health and production.