Senior Economist

A feed pad is used for regular supplementary feeding and loafing of cows on an area that is either formed with a solid foundation and/or concreted and can be covered or uncovered.

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.

Antibiotic resistance is on the rise - so how can you protect your herd at dry-off? We break down the latest research on selective dry cow therapy and share practical tips to reduce antibiotics, manage dry-off risks, and keep cows healthy.

DairyBase data is available for industry good initiatives to support research, policy development and insights.

Regular pasture assessment on your dairy farm helps you manage your feed, plan grazing, and detect surpluses or deficits in pasture.

This episode brings highlights from DairyNZ's events on building a productive workplace. Host Willie McKnight chats with sharemilker Gillian Bunnik and research engineer Brian Dela Rue about tech, data, and innovation to boost farm efficiency.

What’s your plan when pasture growth slows or a dry spell hits? In this episode, DairyNZ’s Mark Williams and farmer Enda Hawe share how to choose the right supplements, use tools like the Supplement Price Calculator, and plan to avoid feed shortages.

Principal Economist

Fall Armyworm is a plant pest that can feed on over 350 plant species, particularly sweetcorn and maize. Its spread typically begins in December, so early detection and regular monitoring are key to protect your feed and prevent the pest’s spread.

Head of Economics

Economist

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.

Breeding Worth (BW) is an index that ranks cows and bulls on their ability to breed profitable, efficient replacements. This page explains how BW is used to create herds resilient to changes and disease, therefore increasing farm profits.