In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what inspired him to take action on his farm and across the Mangati Stream catchment, where once degraded, weed-choked waterways are now thriving ecosystems.

The Environment Courts final decision landed on 8 June 2026 and, subject to appeals, is the final outcome for Plan Change 1 (PC1) for the Waikato and Waipā catchments, a process that started over a decade ago.

Understand what El Niño could mean for your farm and region, with practical advice to plan early, manage feed and water, protect animal welfare, and use tools and support to prepare for changing conditions.

In typical New Zealand dairy herds, faulty milking equipment is estimated to cause as many as 40-50% of new clinical mastitis cases. Over an extended period, poorly functioning milking machines cause teat damage and increase the risk of infection.

Somatic cell count (SCC) measures the number of white blood cells in milk and is a key indicator of mastitis. Bulk milk SCC measures the overall cell count in the vat. Monitoring both allows you to detect problems early and manage SCC effectively.

Any person who owns or controls stock must follow the stock exclusion rules. Stock must be excluded from rivers, lakes and wetlands within certain timeframes depending on the type of stock, slope, and intensity of grazing.

Protecting, restoring and creating wetlands on farm can help improve water quality, reduce the impact of floods, and create habitat for native plants and animals.

As a veterinarian in the dairy industry, your insights help shape resilient, profitable and sustainable farm businesses. To support your work, we offer apps and resources designed to help you analyse, plan, and support farmers with confidence.

If you're a rural professional discussing breeding decisions, herd management, or seasonal planning, this section of the website is for you. It will give you practical support to strengthen relationships and add value at every step.

Strong advice underpins confident on‑farm decisions. In this episode, hear what sits behind great rural advice and how connection, capability and shared learning help advisors better support farmers in a fast‑changing sector.

As a fertiliser advisor, your expertise already drives nutrient planning and paddock performance. This hub supports your broader farm systems knowledge, offering resources to help you confidently advise on feed demand, pasture, and seasonal planning.