Dairy NZ

A new pilot project aims to re-shape how veterinary practices advise farmers. This specific advisory consultation service relates to three of DairyNZ programmes, InCalf, Healthy Hoof and SmartSAMM, helping farmers to improve on herd reproductive performance, lameness and milk quality. The benefits for farmers to gain are: Tailor made strategic business planning specific to the herd and farm Supportive herd performance improvement with a team approach Science base evidence backed products to deliver results

DairyNZ has partnered with fourteen veterinary businesses through an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), to develop a specific advisory consultation business model that can support and help farmers achieve their personal and farm goals around animal performance.

Real value proposition for farmers comes from the fact that the advisory consultation service provided has the backing of the DairyNZ programmes, InCalf, Healthy Hoof and SmartSAMM. The design of these programmes is to facilitate the interaction of adviser and farmer in a "plan-do-review" process, assisting farmers in a coaching and facilitation process to achieve their goals. It realises that some of the issues dealt with are complex and working alongside a trained adviser as a team, is far more effective than working through an InCalf book or Healthy Hoof guide alone.

DairyNZ is partnering with service providers who have the resource of trained advisers, supported by the DairyNZ programmes to deliver to farmers. The result is that farmers hear the same consistent messages related to herd performance, and have the science-backed evidence base programmes to support them.

The partnering project aims to improve on-farm uptake of InCalf, Healthy Hoof and SmartSAMM, to help drive the improvement of New Zealand dairy herd performance in reproduction and milk quality and reduce lameness.

• To find an MoU service provider near you click here

• For more information contact the DairyNZ Farmer Information Service on 0800 4 324 7969