LIVE YEAST, FIBRE DIGESTION, AND FEED CHANGES
March often brings a useful mix of opportunity and risk on New Zealand dairy farms. This year’s summer rains have kept pastures growing well in
March often brings a useful mix of opportunity and risk on New Zealand dairy farms. This year’s summer rains have kept pastures growing well in
Late lactation is often viewed as a low-demand phase, when cows are winding down, and we dial down our supplements accordingly. However, this depends on
Summer can be a tricky period on farm. Cows approach the summer period milking well, but the summer heat causes rapid changes in pasture. These
B1, also called thiamine, is made in the rumen. When the rumen is unsettled, or cows are under heat or feed stress, B1 levels can
Most dairy goat farmers focus on getting energy, protein, and fibre right, and fair enough – feed drives milk. But even the best ration won’t
Farm technology is an exciting frontier, and it’s changing how we manage herds. From collars to boluses, apps and dashboards, farmers are promised real-time insights
By September, most herds are already calved and are heading towards mating. The window to influence pre-calving minerals has passed, and decisions made in the
The liver doesn’t often get the attention it deserves. Tucked behind the rumen and largely invisible to farm-level observation, it quietly carries the burden of
We’ve come a long way in dairy farming over the past couple of decades. Genetics are better, sheds are more modern and we have more
A successful transition is determined by getting the timing right. We need to be careful with our recording of calving dates. An accurate calving date