Calf scours refers to diarrhoea in calves. It is not a disease itself, but a sign that something is disrupting normal digestion. Scours can quickly lead to dehydration, so early identification and treatment are important.

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Could solar work on your farm? Hear from Chris McArthur from EECA and dairy farmer Rhys Mackenzie about where solar and batteries add value, and what to think about before you invest.

Mastitis can be a significant cost on dairy farms, making timely detection important. There are mastitis detection tools and technologies available in New Zealand that can support, but not replace, good mastitis management and farmer judgement.

Moving animals on and off farm has its risks. A common way for mastitis bacteria to be introduced into a herd is in the udders of cows that are brought in. These bacteria can spread rapidly through a herd, so it is important to mitigate risk factors.

Effluent ponds must meet seepage limits to protect the environment and comply with council requirements. This page explains Pond Drop Testing (PDT), how it measures leakage, what’s involved, how to interpret results, and when retesting may be needed.

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.

Mastitis is one of the most common and costly animal health issues on dairy farms. Understanding the basics will help you protect cow health, maintain milk quality, and do your job confidently in the milking shed.

Providing the right amount of high-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth, is the best thing you can do for your calves. High quality colostrum provides energy and important maternal antibodies that help newborn fight disease.

Milk feeding strategies play a key role in giving calves the best start, supporting their growth, health and wellbeing from day one. Choosing the right system will ease the demands of calf rearing and set your calves up for a productive life.

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.

Are your calves reaching their potential? Discover what the research says, hear from a farmer who changed their system, and find out more about practical options to boost growth and choose what works for your farm.