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

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.

Taranaki farmers Daryl and Karyn Johnson have adopted a 3-in-2 milking routine, milking their cows three times every two days. This method has enhanced herd health, improved staff well-being, and boosted farm profitability.

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.

Prepare your team for a successful calving season with CalvingSmart. This workshop is designed to build confidence, strengthen skills, and ensure everyone on farm is ready to support cows and calves safely and effectively during calving.

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.

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.

Driscoll Dairies Ltd, Home farm, is a 675 cow, high input farm near Winton. Good pasture utilisation, and efficient use of in shed feeding are a priority. Building a sustainable and resilient business are important for the farm owners.

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.

How do we reduce methane emissions from cattle within our pasture-based farming system? And when will farmers have solutions ready to use on-farm?