Heifer liveweight at first mating and calving influences reproductive performance and milk production potential. Achieving liveweight targets is crucial; otherwise, first calving may delay, and fertility may decrease.

In this episode, you’ll hear from some of DairyNZ’s regional policy team – David Cooper, Carina Ross, and Shaun Hazelton – on the big changes happening in policy right now and why your voice matters and helps our advocacy in these processes.

More farmers are using wearables for heat detection and to ease pressure on skilled people at mating time. But do they lift repro results? Hear what the research says in this episode with DairyNZ’s Paul Edwards and CowSmart vet Line Ferriman.

Not all traits bring quick wins – but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth it. Jac McGowan and Dr Rhiannon Hancock talk about low heritability traits, why they matter, and how small gains can add up to big results over time.

A loose-housed barn is a type of dairy housing system where cows have the freedom to move around and rest in a large open area that has a roof. There are several loose housed systems, with different bedding materials, constructions and design.

Read how, Ben and Allie King revisit their mating programmes and farm setup to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Read how, Pāmu revisits their mating programmes to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Read how, Owl Farm revisits their mating programmes and farm setup to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Read how, each year the New Zealand Super Fund (NZSF) Rural Land portfolio, managed by FarmRight revisits their mating programmes and farm setup to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Effective performance management will help to maximise your team’s productivity. The process involves planning, monitoring, feedback, coaching, and performance reviews.

Read more about how farmers and catchment groups can now use state-of-the-art monitoring that detects fish, insects, microbes, aquatic plants, terrestrial plants, and even birds from their genetic material being present in stream water.

A personal cash budget is for anyone who wants to know where their money is going. It is particularly useful for farmers on a wage or salary.

Grass silage is pickled pasture, preserved through the conversion of its sugars into lactic acid by bacteria. This process extends the shelf life of the pasture beyond what it would have if exposed to open air.

Changing mating management on your dairy farm can offer benefits but comes with potential risks.

The Mastitis Focus report helps you manage mastitis in your herd. This two-page report identifies problem areas and risks to udder health, letting you and your veterinary advisers track changes.

Using heat detection aids efficiently will help ensure a successful mating period on your dairy farm. There are different heat detection aids for cows, including tail paint, heat mount detectors, electronic heat detection, and vasectomised bulls.