Farm Health

The best of both worlds

When it comes to balance it doesn't get better than the production of Friesians paired with the efficiency of Jerseys.

Scientist noted for pioneering work in animal evaluation

LIC Science Leader Bevin Harris has been recognised for his pioneering work in animal evaluation.

Promising early results for facial eczema test

Early results from a pilot study investigating the potential for a laboratory test to determine facial eczema (FE) tolerance are positive, paving the way for more detailed investigation.

Prepare your team well for the upcoming calving season

Spend time with staff and set clear expectations for the upcoming calving season.

BVD tests for newborns

This calving season, LIC is offering a BVD test for newborn calves to provide farmers with an early indication on the health status of their valuable replacement stock.

Heat detection made easier

First shown on the Virtual Fieldays 2020 platform, the Tailpainter heat detection tool is now complemented by the Dairy Paint tallpaing range, which made it's debut at the 2021 physical event.

Safe, healthy bedding for calves

The first sixty days of a calf's life is crucial.

Checking springers

Cows close to calving, or springers, must be inspected frequently.

Have your NAIT account up to date for calving

From early July, it will be all hands-on deck for award-winning dairy farming brothers Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj as they start welcoming their first winter calves of the season.

Fine for teat amputations

A South Auckland dairy farmer has been fined $3,250 for unlawfully amputating the teats of seven cows using rubber rings as a tourniquet.

New tools to tackle facial eczema

Herd improvement co-operative LIC says it is developing new methods to help farmers tackle facial eczema, a disease which is costing the dairy industry around $30 million in lost production each year.

Johne's milk test in the offing

A test to detect Johne's Disease and pregnancy from a single milk sample in cattle is being developed.

Managing stressed stock in the aftermath of an adverse event

Livestock can be stressed in many situations - adverse events being no exception.

All water is connected

Understanding the types of water features on your farm will help in making decisions to reduce the amount of contaminants reaching waterways.

Jersey bulls breed heat tolerant cows

A New Zealand company says it has bred the world's first team of bulls that all carry a dominant gene certain to breed heat tolerant cows.

Drenching - doing it right

Effective and accurate drenching is important for animal health and productivity. It needs strategic decision making and should be part of a parasite management plan.

Shedding Wiltshire's anti wool appeal

Of all the projects Massey University's School of Agriculture has been involved in over the years, it's never had such interest as it has in its Wiltshire breeding programme.

Global recognition for genetic work

A novel scientific approach which has identified a number of genetic variants impacting the health and wellbeing of New Zealand dairy cows has been published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature Genetics.

Vets ready to help Fonterra farmers earn more cash

This season, up to 10 cents of Fonterra suppliers' milk payments will be determined by the farm's sustainability credentials and milk quality.

Trial for low methane sheep

Artificial breeding will play a role in accelerating the transition of a proportion of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) commercial ewe flock to a low methane emitting flock.

Quarantine drenching critical - expert

Farmers importing stock onto their farm are being urged to have a quarantine drenching regime in place to further prevent the spread of triple drench resistance.

Breeders beaming with pride, joy at Beamer's induction

One of the country's most famous fathers has been recognised for his significant contribution to the dairy industry after siring more than 170,000 daughters for New Zealand farms.