Heifer grazing involves estimating your farm's ability to support the growth of dairy heifers to meet their target weights. It's important to evaluate the number of heifers your land can sustain based on the amount and quality of pasture.

The design of the milking bail, pipework, and pit in dairy farming is crucial for the safety and comfort of both cows and workers. This page outlines ways to ensure optimal cow flow and worker efficiency in the milking process.

The teat cup liner is the part of the milking machine that touches the cow's teat, significantly affecting milking performance, udder and teat health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Comparative Stocking Rate (CSR) is a tool to measure the balance between feed demand and supply on a farm. It is determined by calculating the amount of livestock weight per hectare versus the annual feed available.

An endophyte is a fungus naturally found in ryegrass and tall fescue pastures, helping to protect the plants from insect damage. In New Zealand, many ryegrass plants contain this fungus, passed down through seeds.

Failures of pumps and irrigation equipment on your dairy farm can lead to wasted time, limited pasture growth, and stress. The page highlights the importance of regular checks and ongoing maintenance to prevent these issues.

Cocksfoot is a resilient pasture grass, ideal for dry conditions and resistant to many pests. Though its feed value is typically lower than ryegrass, it supports summer growth in dairy pasture mixes, especially in drought-prone areas.

Dry cows should be checked weekly for changes in the udder and quarters, especially during the last two weeks of their lactation and in the first two weeks of their dry period.

Reducing the time and water used in washing dairy yards is vital to an efficient farm routine. The page outlines various methods for efficient yard cleaning, focusing on the design of the holding yard, wash down systems, and the type of surface used.

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.

Critical Source Areas (CSAs), such as swales and gullies, can transport large amounts of soil, phosphorus, and E. coli to waterways. Recognising CSAs and managing them with buffer zones can help minimise these losses.

Coccidiosis is a disease mainly affecting young cattle, causing diarrhoea that can lead to dehydration or even death. The disease comes from parasites found in infected feed, water, or from self-grooming.

Building a new dairy farm is a complex, time-consuming process that requires careful planning and consideration. This page guides you through the key decisions and factors involved in choosing the type and size of the dairy and yard.

Good platform design in dairy farming keeps both cows and people safe, while enhancing cow flow into the dairy.

Heifer rearing is essential for your dairy farm's success. The page discusses three basic methods: rearing stock on your dairy farm, contract grazing, and purchasing grown replacements.