The Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD) holds pedigree and performance information for every recorded dairy cow in New Zealand. It is led by NZAEL, which uses the data to keep improving the sector’s efficiency and productivity.

A 2024/25 study of 10 New Zealand dairy farms explored how tech, milking frequency, and people management boost productivity. See the impact on performance, expenses, and task efficiency via seasonal comparisons across the farms.

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.

Dry cow treatment should be administered with careful preparation, strict hygiene, and good aftercare to protect cow health and prevent mastitis. Before treatment, cows should be clearly identified and equipment prepared so the process runs smoothly.

Mastitis generally falls into two categories: environmental and contagious. Good milking routine, teat spray and hygiene reduce contagious spread. Clean, well-managed sheds, dry bedding and managing cow traffic help minimise environmental exposure.

Planning and preparing for dry-off is essential. It is important to undergo careful planning, proper execution, and good follow-up to protect cow health, improve efficiency, and ensure the herd is well prepared for the next lactation.

What’s next for you on farm? James Laughlin shares a preview of People Expo 2026 and how high-performance leadership can help you move forward with confidence.

Healthy teats are the first line of defence against mastitis. If you get teat health right, somatic cell count, milk quality, and cow health get a lot easier. This page outlines what good teat health looks like, and how to fix poor teat health.