Our understanding of animal welfare has evolved. Instead of focusing solely on health and production, there is now a broader perspective that considers behaviour and affective state, which considers an animal’s experiences and overall wellbeing.

In this episode, Jac McGowan and Mitch Cooper, veterinarian and DairyNZ’s Senior Technical and Policy Advisor, discuss how to prevent and manage down cows during calving season. Get practical tips on how to recognise early signs, treatment and care.

Tune in to Episode 80 of Talking Dairy, where DairyNZ Senior Scientist Dawn Dalley shares 15 years of research and practical tips to help you manage and ensure your cows thrive during the challenging winter months.

Winter preparation for cows is key to their health and productivity. Ensure they're in good condition, as fat acts as insulation. Group dry cows based on their condition and calving date, enabling tailored feeding and protection from dominant cows.

This page covers the concept of a base cow. Breeding Worth (BW) and Breeding Values (BV) are presented as the difference between an animal’s genetic merit and the average genetic merit of the 'base cows’.

Research to improve herd reproduction performance, we are studying two heifer traits that could provide early measures of cow fertility.

Calculating Metabolisable Energy (ME) needs is important for dairy cows. You adjust for feed quality by adding or subtracting 4% per MJ ME/kg DM from the standard 11.0 MJ ME/kg DM.

Non-cycling cows can drastically impact your herd's reproductive performance. This page discusses two types of non-cyclers: those that have ovulated but shown no visible signs of heat, and true non-cyclers that haven't started ovulating since calving

At the end of lactation, dairy cows require a dry period to allow udder tissue to repair and rejuvenate. The recommendation is that all cows are protected from mastitis during the dry period.

Dry matter is a crucial dietary requirement for dry cows. This page outlines the energy a cow needs, considering its weight gain or loss. The feed requirement considers the cow's maintenance, pregnancy, and weight gain.

It is recommended that all cows are protected from mastitis during the dry period.

The sooner you spot and treat sick and lame cows, the better. Learn how to identify, separate and care for sick and problem cows, about marking and recording systems, and the most common cow diseases. 

DairyNZ is partnering in research aimed at developing a new cow survival and longevity trait. This trait will provide greater focus on general robustness and good health, as DairyNZ senior scientist Claire Phyn explains.

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has reviewed the existing code of welfare for dairy cattle and has consulted on updated minimum standards and best practice guidance as well as recommendations for regulations.

Dairy cow fertility is essential to every dairy business being productive. It is important to consider areas to focus on, in order to maximise the herd's reproductive performance.

Table to Calculate Value of Feeding Supplements to Dry Cows for Condition Score (BCS) Gain

Waikato farmer Peter Miedema and his InCalf Adviser Katrina Roberts explain how down cow issues led to the uncovering of a widespread magnesium deficiency in his herd.