Animal

Animal

Animal management is a critical component of farm profitability and sustainability. From genetics to herd management and more, this section covers topics that will help guide your decisions.

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Breeding Worth
Breeding Worth (BW) is an index that ranks cows and bulls on their ability to breed profitable, efficient replacements. This page explains how BW is used to create herds resilient to changes and disease, therefore increasing farm profits.

Animal
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15 min read

Breeding Worth

Breeding Worth (BW) is an index that ranks cows and bulls on their ability to breed profitable, efficient replacements. This page explains how BW is used to create herds resilient to changes and disease, therefore increasing farm profits.

Animal
•
15 min read
Trace elements
Trace elements, including cobalt, copper, iodine, selenium, and zinc, play a vital role in dairy cow nutrition. Your cows need these elements for functions like growth, reproduction, and milk production.

Animal
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2 min read

Trace elements

Trace elements, including cobalt, copper, iodine, selenium, and zinc, play a vital role in dairy cow nutrition. Your cows need these elements for functions like growth, reproduction, and milk production.

Animal
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2 min read
Dairy stockmanship
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.

Animal
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5 min read

Dairy stockmanship

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.

Animal
•
5 min read
BVD virus
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a widespread disease impacting around 80% of New Zealand's dairy and beef herds, causing losses in reproduction, increased disease, and reduced growth and milk production.

Animal
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2 min read

BVD virus

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is a widespread disease impacting around 80% of New Zealand's dairy and beef herds, causing losses in reproduction, increased disease, and reduced growth and milk production.

Animal
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2 min read
BCS loss in early lactation
Body condition loss in early lactation can significantly reduce your herd's wellbeing and productivity. Cows often lose condition in the first 10 days after calving, so ensure your herds' energy requirements are met to stay on track.

Animal
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1 min read

BCS loss in early lactation

Body condition loss in early lactation can significantly reduce your herd's wellbeing and productivity. Cows often lose condition in the first 10 days after calving, so ensure your herds' energy requirements are met to stay on track.

Animal
•
1 min read
Managing teat health
Healthy teats are the first line of defence against mastitis. If you get teat health right, somatic cell count, milk quality, and cow health get a lot easier. This page outlines what good teat health looks like, and how to fix poor teat health.

Animal
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5 min read

Managing teat health

Healthy teats are the first line of defence against mastitis. If you get teat health right, somatic cell count, milk quality, and cow health get a lot easier. This page outlines what good teat health looks like, and how to fix poor teat health.

Animal
•
5 min read
Types of lameness
Lameness in New Zealand's dairy herds is primarily caused by five types of hoof lesions. This page shows what each looks like, which claws are affected, and the main risk factors. Understanding how they occur helps ensure the health of your herd.

Animal
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3 min read

Types of lameness

Lameness in New Zealand's dairy herds is primarily caused by five types of hoof lesions. This page shows what each looks like, which claws are affected, and the main risk factors. Understanding how they occur helps ensure the health of your herd.

Animal
•
3 min read
Positive welfare
Positive welfare goes beyond preventing suffering. It's about enabling cows to thrive. By supporting natural behaviours and promoting positive experiences, we can help ensure cows live a good life.

Animal
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3 min read

Positive welfare

Positive welfare goes beyond preventing suffering. It's about enabling cows to thrive. By supporting natural behaviours and promoting positive experiences, we can help ensure cows live a good life.

Animal
•
3 min read
Calving cows
For the best outcome at calving time, know the signs and stages of labour, how to calve a cow, and the immediate care needed after calving. Check springers regularly to help identify the signs of labour, ensuring timely interventions if needed.

Animal
•
5 min read

Calving cows

For the best outcome at calving time, know the signs and stages of labour, how to calve a cow, and the immediate care needed after calving. Check springers regularly to help identify the signs of labour, ensuring timely interventions if needed.

Animal
•
5 min read
BCS Nutrition
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a critical element in managing the health and reproduction of your dairy herd. It's essential to maintain BCS targets, as too thin or too fat cows can negatively affect reproductive performance.

Animal
•
4 min read

BCS Nutrition

Body Condition Score (BCS) is a critical element in managing the health and reproduction of your dairy herd. It's essential to maintain BCS targets, as too thin or too fat cows can negatively affect reproductive performance.

Animal
•
4 min read