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.

Somatic cell count (SCC) measures the number of white blood cells in milk and is a key indicator of mastitis. Bulk milk SCC measures the overall cell count in the vat. Monitoring both allows you to detect problems early and manage SCC effectively.

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.

Dr Claudia Kamphuis shares how to cut through data overload and turn information into real onfarm value, with practical tips to help you focus on what matters for everyday decision-making.

How are farmers helping to shape DairyNZ’s animal care research and why does it matter for our global competitiveness? Penny Timmer-Arends and Dr Stacey Hendriks explain market expectations and the key factors influencing cow comfort.

We use our credible science and research to advocate for evidence-based policy-making, to support our farmers on the issues that matter most. This is an important part of our work at DairyNZ to ensure dairy farmer voices are heard.

Heifer liveweight at first mating and calving influences reproductive performance and milk production potential. Achieving liveweight targets is crucial; otherwise, first calving may delay, and fertility may decrease.

In this episode, you’ll hear from some of DairyNZ’s regional policy team – David Cooper, Carina Ross, and Shaun Hazelton – on the big changes happening in policy right now and why your voice matters and helps our advocacy in these processes.

More farmers are using wearables for heat detection and to ease pressure on skilled people at mating time. But do they lift repro results? Hear what the research says in this episode with DairyNZ’s Paul Edwards and CowSmart vet Line Ferriman.

Not all traits bring quick wins – but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth it. Jac McGowan and Dr Rhiannon Hancock talk about low heritability traits, why they matter, and how small gains can add up to big results over time.

A loose-housed barn is a type of dairy housing system where cows have the freedom to move around and rest in a large open area that has a roof. There are several loose housed systems, with different bedding materials, constructions and design.

Read how, Ben and Allie King revisit their mating programmes and farm setup to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Read how, Pāmu revisits their mating programmes to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.

Read how, Owl Farm revisits their mating programmes and farm setup to look at how they can improve calf-rearing practices.