Calving

Magnesium delivery pre-calving

Supplementing with magnesium (Mg) pre-calving is standard practice on most dairy farms in New Zealand. However, the type of Mg and how it is supplemented can vary from farm to farm. Understanding what delivery options are available adds to the toolbox to give new and improved ideas and ease the workload at a busy time of the year.

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Going flexi could be worth the effort

Changing milking frequency to fewer than twice a day (TAD) will invariably require a slight leap of faith.

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More milk from longer lactation

The average New Zealand dairy cow is a highly-bred athlete compared to her ancestors from years gone by. Foremost among the improvements is her ability for extended lactation - this represents an obvious source of productivity (and profitability) gains.

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It takes a team - achieving autumn calving goals

Calving is a busy time of the year, and in both spring and autumn, there are many factors to consider. Key focuses include managing nutritional strategies, setting up pens before calving, predetermining weaning targets and making sure everyone is well informed of goals and targets.

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Turn up the heat on your submission rate

The rate of empty cows is impacting farm profitability. So, the question on the table is what we can do to reverse this trend?

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Calves deserve good quality colostrum

You can’t beat the goodness of feeding fresh colostrum and whole milk for calf health and development.

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The best prize ever? Win a week off with Farm Source and Farmtask

With a new season getting underway and the busy calving period in full swing, the idea of taking time off can feel like a far-fetched dream. But thanks to Farm Source and Farmtask, six lucky farmers will get the chance to do just that early next year.

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Turn up the heat

Blinkies, cats’ eyes and UFOs. These are a few of the names kicking around for FlashMate, an award-winning local innovation and the world’s only heat detector that has clinically proven a six percent lift in six week in-calf rate (6WICR).

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Turn up the heat on your cow’s heats!

One of the drivers of a strong six week in-calf rate is the performance of the herd during the first three weeks of mating. The industry target is to achieve a 90 percent submission rate within this time frame. With focus, this five-star target is achievable.

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Heat detection made simple

Accurately determining when a cow is on heat ensures a more successful mating period. You need a clear process, good observation and effective use of a reliable heat detection tool. Water-based tail paint is your simplest, safest and most cost-effective option.

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Preparing your calf for lifetime production

Getting calves onto the right kind of nutrient-dense natural fibre in the first week of their lives helps to take them from total milk reliance to developing their full potential on pasture.

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Make calf rearing easy with StockMate

There is no doubt that the calving period is a very tiring and often stressful time for dairy farmers. Difficulties can come from a myriad of sources, including calving troubles; downer cows; milk fever; mastitis; and machinery break downs. The weather can also provide challenges. Among all this, the last thing you want is sickness going through your calf pens and compromising your future milkers.

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Colostrum – the essential first feed

Bovine colostrum delivers better calf health and performance according to a report by Ag Drs. Ajmal Khan and Sue McCoard, the Animal Nutrition and Physiology Team at AgResearch Limited, New Zealand.

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Gypsum Soil Life Highly Effective

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Drawing on this season’s calving lessons for great results next year

DairyNZ's Animal Care Team Manager Helen Thoday shares her thoughts on what you can do to help improve how smoothly your calving season goes next year.

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