Managing down cows is crucial for dairy farmers. When a cow is down, it's important to promptly diagnose the cause, decide on a treatment, and follow a management plan.

New Zealand’s dairy and beef industries are coming together to work more closely through the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme to address a key area — the management of non-replacement calves that are not required to replenish the dairy herd.

Plantain is a low-cost option for Rotorua dairy farmers to reduce nitrogen leaching and help meet environmental targets. Adding it into pastures through annual broadcasting can significantly lower nitrogen losses while maintaining profitability.

A Rotorua dairy farm demonstrates that profitability and environmental performance can go together. Since taking over in 2019/20, Richard and Amy have operated a low-input system designed to meet nitrogen limits while remaining financially strong.

Since 2002, Dairy Training Ltd has been helping dairy farmers and rural professionals grow through quality training. As a self-funded subsidiary of DairyNZ, their focus is on doing what’s best for you and the sector. Check out the courses on offer.

Flooding on a dairy farm can be devastating, but the page you're reading provides essential guidelines to mitigate its effects.

The dairy effluent system design accreditation programme recognises companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to industry standards, regulatory requirements, and recognised codes of practice.

Bulk milk urea concentration is a near real-time indicator of the dietary crude protein status of dairy herds and their nitrogen use efficiency, helping to support feed and nitrogen management decisions in pasture-based systems.

Senior animal care specialist

Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) is a network of farmers who aim to encourage and create a sustainable future in dairy farming.

Extreme weather puts pressure on daily farm operations, so you'll find guidance below on getting back to a normal milking schedule, managing feed, and keeping your cows healthy.

Are you looking to hire a new employee? Having a well-planned recruitment and selection process is the first step towards finding the right person to fit into your team.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is a practical tool you can use to inform decision-making, easily access information, save time and lighten your mental load. Many farmers are using simple, low-cost GenAI tools on their phones or computers.

Good effluent management on your dairy farm combines a well-designed system with proper processes to ensure the right amount of effluent gets applied to pasture at the right time.

An employment agreement defines the rules of the working relationship between the employee and the farm owner/manager on a dairy farm. It must be in writing, and the employer is responsible for arranging it.

Wearable technologies (such as cow collars) are becoming a popular tool for assisting with reproductive management. In 2025, around 1 in 5 dairy farms are using wearables , mostly to help with heat detection, a factor in getting cows in calf.

How to interpret rumination data and use daily rumination time for day-to-day decision-making.