Dairy NZ

Publication Date: February 2009

Abstract: The New Zealand dairy industry is highly regarded throughout the world for its sustainable pasture-based production systems and its commitment to animal welfare. A significant contributor to the New Zealand economy, in 2007 the dairy industry accounted for over 20% of all New Zealand exports and was valued at over $7.5 billion
NZD (Source: Statistics New Zealand).

Contains the latest animal welfare information in one handy pack.

Contents: Condition Scoring Made Easy Booklet, The Painful Husbandry Code of Welfare (poster and information pack), Minimising Lameness Poster, Humane Slaughter (poster and information pack), Bobby Calf Welfare Information, Fit for Transport booklet and The Codes of Welfare Poster.

Description: A simple overview explaining the basic points of the Codes of Welfare.

Description: A handy guideline to help you determine if your animals are fit for transporting.

Description: Use this calculator to help manage heat stress in cows.

When THI reaches 68 for Friesians and 75 for Jerseys (equivalent to 21 and 25.5°C respectively at 75% relative humidity) New Zealand cows begin to experience the effects of heat stress. This is seen by a reduction in feed intake and a drop of around 10g milksolids per day per unit increase in THI (Bryant et al. 2007).

For example, an increase in THI from 68-78 would equate to a 100g drop in milksolids/cow/day. Note that a drop in fat/protein percentage occurs before a drop in yield or milksolids is visible (Bryant et al. 2007).

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