Getting the pulsation and vacuum systems right is key to efficient and comfortable milkings. This page will cover the benefits of proper pulsation, how it works, and the essential components of a pulsation system.

Designing and installing a new irrigation system for your farm involves making sure it fits your land, business and water regulations. This page emphasises how a well-planned system can boost the efficient use of water, energy, labour, and money.

A risk pathway is a method through which infection or disease can reach or spread from your farm. This page emphasises the importance of being prepared to prevent foot and mouth disease in New Zealand.

The Taits focus on balancing sustainability with profit in their dairy farming practices. Based in Lowcliffe, Ashburton, the Tait Family Trust oversees an intergenerational dairy business that began milking in 2011.

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.

Mastitis management in dairy farming requires constant review and planning to control the condition in your herd.

Alderbrook Farms have focused on continuous improvement over the past 20 years and are always striving to be better.

Doug and Emma McLeod are 50:50 sharemilkers on flat to rolling land next to the Pomahaka River in South Otago. They supply milk to Danone. Up to 160 kg N/ha has typically been applied to pasture each year and effluent application is via a pod system.

Peter and Joc Kinney are dairy farming near Culverden. The dairy farm has an effective milking platform area of 310 ha. At the start of the FRNL programme this was 95% irrigated, at a stocking rate of 3.8 cows/ha.

Mayview was converted in 2016 and purchased by the current partnership in July 2019.

The Plantain programme is a DairyNZ-led collaborative research and development initiative. The aim is to substantially reduce nitrogen lost to freshwater and greenhouse gas produced from pastoral sectors by using the grazing herb plantain (Ecotain®).

Improving milking efficiency is one of the great wins for dairy farmers.

The Chicory and Plantain programme of work aimed to determine milk production responses to supplementing a pasture-based diet with chicory or plantain in summer, and how grazing management affected the growth and quality of these herbs, as well as

Three, two, done For most people, three doesn’t go into two. But for Taranaki farmers Daryl and Karyn Johnson, that formula has proven to be a winner, helping them improve herd health, staff wellbeing and farm profitability.

Rob and Rachael are farm owners for Brooklea Farm Ltd at Wendonside which was converted to dairy in 2008-09. They supply milk to Fonterra. A 100-ha unirrigated support block was purchased in 2020 allowing more of the wintering to be done in house.

Eric and Maxine are arable farmers from Wakanui. They were part of a network of farmers in Canterbury who contributed to the direction of the FRNL research, influenced priorities, shared experiences and provided a practical check to research.

On this page, you'll find details about different pests and diseases that can harm brassica plants. These include cabbage grey aphids, diamondback moths, leaf miners, Nysius flies, springtails, white butterflies, club root, and dry rot.

DairyNZ is committed to supporting Kiwi dairy farmers build successful, sustainable and resilient farm businesses.

Duncan and Anne-Marie are equity managers of a 210 ha flat farm near Taieri. They supply milk to Fonterra. Planned start of calving is 5 August with the majority of cows being wintered off-farm.

Brent and Maryn are arable farmers from Mayfield. They were part of a network of farmers in Canterbury who contributed to the direction of FRNL’s research, influenced priorities, shared experiences and provided a practical check to research.