Turnips are a brassica root crop used in dairy farming to bridge summer feed gaps and boost milk production. They can be planted from spring to winter, depending on the variety.

Fodder beet is a feed option for cows that requires careful planning to avoid health issues such as acidosis. Before feeding it, you should measure your crop yield and test the leaf and bulb to determine its nutritional content.

The transition period in a cow's life requires precise feed management to ensure health and optimal milk production. It’s important to set BCS targets, monitor those targets and adjust your feed budget as required, especially pre- and post-calving.

DairyNZ led a project to explore alternatives to crop-based wintering by designing practical, off-paddock infrastructure options that farmers could adopt.

Free stall barns are engineered structures for housing dairy cattle. Free stall barns can significantly improve feed usage, herd comfort, and reduce maintenance costs, but they can require a substantial initial investment and experienced management.

A heifer's health plan needs to adapt to her age and grazing farm, especially if she moves farms in her first two years. It should cover 5 areas: biosecurity, vaccinations, parasite management, trace elements and minerals, and region-specific issues.

Nitrogen fertiliser is a valuable tool for pasture and crop growth in pastoral dairy farms, but it is essential that it is applied at the right time, in the right place and at the right rate.

Workflow management is central to a productive and efficient workplace. Find out how to improve task organisation with your team using a Kanban board.

Sharemilkers are responsible for operating the farm on behalf of the farm owner. They don’t own the land but split milk income and expenses with the owner. There are two types of sharemilking agreements, herd owning and variable order.

Efficient water management on your dairy farm can save water, time, and money. Begin by mapping your farm’s water infrastructure and identifying and addressing problem areas.

We have completed a four-year trial at Scott Farm in the Waikato, validating the Forage Value Index (FVI) under typical farm management conditions.