BCS Targets: Why Body Condition Score Matters at Calving
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a critical element in managing the health and reproduction of the dairy herd.
Southern Police are urging farmers to be vigilant and to protect their herds, after the theft of eight newborn Friesian heifer calves.
The calves were taken from their mothers overnight on Tuesday to Wednesday, July 26-27 from a roadside paddock at an Ermedale dairy farm.
"I'm hopeful this is a one-off incident," says Senior Constable Kelvin Templeton.
"However, farmers and their workers and neighbours need to be really vigilant, and prepared to call Police straight away on 111 if they are witness to this activity or anything they believe is suspicious."
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Riverton Police on 03 234 7070, or call CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.