COMBINE TECH AND NUTRITION FOR THE BEST OUTCOME
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 on rumination, activity and heat detection. All of this is useful, but data alone doesn’t increase farm performance. We are now using tech and nutrition together, pairing this data with […]
TRANSITION MAKES OR BREAKS REPRODUCTION
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 transition period are only just becoming obvious. How well the cows cycle, express heats, and conceive this spring is a direct reflection of the mineral balance they received during the […]
REPRODUCTION STARTS IN THE LIVER
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 converting nutrients, detoxifying metabolites, and producing energy in the form of glucose to fuel lactation. But during early lactation, when energy demands are highest and intake is lagging, the liver […]
ARE YOU STILL FEEDING MINERALS LIKE IT’S 1999?
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 data at our fingertips than ever before. But this progression, for some reason, doesn’t translate through to feeding minerals. We see a lot of farms relying on the same old […]
WHY DRY COW MANAGEMENT IS THE FIRST STEP TO A PRODUCTIVE SEASON
We need to stop treating the dry period as just a rest between lactations and understand that it’s a significant biological reset that impacts the health and productivity of the next lactation. While the transition period is often considered the most important time, what happens during the dry period sets the stage for success. Managing […]
USING MINERALS TO GET AHEAD OF HEAT STRESS
As temperatures rise, our cows face the challenge of maintaining production and health while battling the heat. Heat stress doesn’t just affect cows’ comfort – it directly impacts milk yield, reproduction, and overall well-being. One of the most effective ways to prevent the worst effects of heat stress is ensuring cows have the right balance […]
HOW FEEDING THE CORRECT MINERALS DURING PREGNANCY BOOSTS COW AND CALF HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY
Raising strong, healthy cows isn’t just about the day-to-day feed and setting up future generations for success. Because calves rely on nutrients from their mother during fetal development, mineral intake during a cow’s pregnancy is one of the most important factors in achieving this goal. Known as ‘fetal programming,’ the idea is that a calf’s […]
BUILDING REPRODUCTIVE RESILIENCE THROUGH MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Dairy cow productivity is usually focused on daily milk yields, however, reproduction is an important aspect when it comes to performance longevity. Cows that get in-calf quickly and stay in-calf are far more productive than those that don’t. One often overlooked factor is mineral supplementation to support reproductive health. New Zealand soil is naturally deficient […]
MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR POST-CALVING RECOVERY
Post-calving recovery is extremely important and we need to ensure our cows are transitioning smoothly from giving birth into milk production. Providing the right nutritional support through various vitamin and mineral supplements can boost their recovery and overall health. Post-calving recovery – trace minerals and vitamins Trace minerals and vitamins help to maintain a cow’s […]
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SUBCLINICAL KETOSIS
Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a significant health challenge in our dairy herds, primarily occurring in early lactation when cows experience a severe negative energy balance. Characterised by elevated ketone body levels and without overt clinical signs, SCK can negatively impact milk production and reproductive performance, and increase the risk of other metabolic disorders. Understanding the […]