Maize is an essential crop for New Zealand dairy farmers, helping enhance feed supply, manage climatic risks, and support pasture renewal. Growing maize on a dairy farm can also extract soil nutrients and reduce costs in high-fertility effluent areas

Getting the pulsation and vacuum systems right is key to efficient and comfortable milkings. This page will cover the benefits of proper pulsation, how it works, and the essential components of a pulsation system.

Kikuyu-based pasture can offer similar profits to ryegrass-based farms when managed well. Common in Northland and coastal areas of the Upper North Island, kikuyu thrives in summer and autumn.

Late summer strategies in dairy farming involve continuous monitoring of feed demand and body condition score (BCS). This page discusses how managing pasture effectively, considering factors like over-grazing and dry periods, is crucial.

Yellow bristle grass (YBG) is a pest plant harmful to pastures. This fast-spreading weed lowers pasture quality as cows avoid eating it. YBG spreads mainly through its seeds, which can move via dung, water, animals, or contamination in hay and maize.

Heifers, or young female cows, require careful planning and patience when introducing them to the milking herd. The page you're reading details steps to minimise stress and enhance milk production during this transition.

The Taits focus on balancing sustainability with profit in their dairy farming practices. Based in Lowcliffe, Ashburton, the Tait Family Trust oversees an intergenerational dairy business that began milking in 2011.

Maize silage is a high-quality forage supplement made by ensiling maize crops in stacks or bunkers, used to supplement pasture. This silage has notably low levels of sodium, calcium, and phosphorus, making it a useful carrier to supplement magnesium.

Automated mastitis detection (AMD) systems are technology tools used on dairy farms to identify signs of mastitis in cows by monitoring milk for specific indicators.

Maximising pasture growth is key to increasing your dairy farm's profitability. To do this, you need to identify the lowest producing paddocks and understand their potential by comparing them with the best ones.

During the transition from dry to milking cows, it's crucial to manage their health effectively to ensure their reproductive performance, production, and longevity aren't compromised.

Tall fescue is an alternative to perennial ryegrass, suitable where summer growth faces challenges like high soil temperatures or ryegrass doesn't last long. You can spot tall fescue by its broader, stiffer leaves and presence of more clover.

Clover root weevil (CRW) is a pest that affects clover, a vital plant in many pastures. This weevil, first detected in Waikato and Auckland in 1996, can be found year-round but is most plentiful in summer.

Purpose, vision, and values - these three elements shape your farming journey. Your purpose defines why you farm and what you aim to achieve.

The InCalf Fertility Focus Report evaluates your herd's reproductive performance and highlights areas to improve. Using your herd's data, it compares your performance against the top 25% of the industry.

Effective irrigation management benefits your dairy farm by preserving water quality, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with water supply conditions. Find out how to operate within these conditions efficiently.

If you’re experiencing issues with somatic cell count, have several clinical cases of mastitis, or persistent teat damage in your herd, professional help should be sought. Trained advisers are available in all regions to investigate and help.

Leaf stage, in ryegrass pasture management, is an indicator for optimal grazing times. Monitoring the leaf stage helps you understand when a paddock is ready for grazing and if your rotation length is suitable for current growth conditions.

Pre-graze mowing is a technique sometimes used to manage surplus pasture. However, research shows it doesn't increase cow intake or performance, and actually reduces pasture performance.

Dietary fibre is essential for a cow's healthy rumen function. This page explains that when cows eat fibre, it stimulates chewing, saliva production, and rumination.