Farm Health

Hot cows affect reproduction

Heat stress has a big effect on reproduction, explains Greg Jarratt, vet and director of Matamata Veterinary Services.

How can you keep BVD out?

BVD is a viral disease of cattle with a big economic impact.

Personality important in farmer anxiety

New Lincoln University research shows analysing a farmer’s personal characteristics is important when dealing with their anxiety.

NAIT helps breeder manage bulls

Bull breeder Peter Maxwell manages a bull stud in central Auckland. Here's how he uses NAIT.

Dairy welfare code revamped

The code of welfare for dairy cattle has been amended to address behavioural needs and off-paddock systems, says the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

NAIT keeps NZ produce tops – farmer

If you’re selling or leasing bulls this spring, understand the risks and know the animal’s history of movements and health, says Manawatu beef farmer Richard Morrison.

Vaccinations protect people, animals

As we struggle to fathom how we ended up in the throes of a measles outbreak again, we’re reminded of the importance of vaccinations to protect us from life-threatening diseases.

OSPRI's new energy underpins farming

Farmers and global markets can depend on OSPRI, explains chief executive Steve Stuart.

Avoiding triple drench resistance

Triple drench resistance is appearing at an alarming rate, particularly in the North Island. But it can be prevented by correct management.

NZ’s ‘worm detective’ to hit the world stage

A Massey PhD student known as the ‘worm detective’ for his work on sheep worms will represent New Zealand on a huge global stage in Germany in November.

BVD and what you can do about it

Amanda Kilby, MSD animal health veterinarian, explains what Bovine Viral Diarrhoea is and how you can control it.

Raising in-calf rate helps cut farm emissions

Improving the reproductive performance of a herd by getting more cows in-calf is a key way to cut farm emissions says Stephen Sing, Jersey Advantage member.

On-farm biosecurity a strict necessity

Bay of Plenty dairy farmer Darryl Jensen rears calves and sees farm biosecurity as a necessity. For effective traceability and disease management he operates a ‘closed farm system’ along with a beef farmer and grazier

Knowing how to give calves the needle

Most farmers are well prepared for the new disbudding and dehorning regulations which will take effect on October 1.

Tough season calls for livestock health

In this season we are again asking a lot of our stock.

Reducing stress on in-lamb ewes

Most of the ewes that make up the New Zealand ewe flock are high performance animals, many of them sitting on a metabolic knife-edge as they get closer to lambing, says Ben Allot, North Canterbury Vets.

Multi-prong attack in combatting worms

Changes in a farm’s land use or policies which result in it having mostly young livestock could be disastrous in promoting the development of drench resistance.

Treating clinical mastitis

Dr Sean Daly, vet and technical adviser at MSD Animal Health, explains best-practice guidelines for treating cows with clinical mastitis.

Herd genetics not only about money

Selecting the right genetics is no longer only for improving the economic output of a herd, says CRV Ambreed sales and marketing manager Jon Lee.

Auto heat detection erases tail paint

Tail pant has been shelved by a King Country farm — the first in New Zealand to try DeLaval’s automated cow heat detection.

Research ‘overdue but welcome’

The ‘Resilient Dairy’ research launched by LIC at National Fieldays in June is an “overdue but welcome initiative” because New Zealand is lagging in dairy genetics, says genetics company World Wide Sires.

Johne’s disease remains a problem

Johne’s disease remains an issue for livestock farmers New Zealand-wide.

Selecting the right bull

Good bull management means running adequate numbers of bulls with the herd, reducing their stress, and handling bulls to minimise the risk of injury to people and animals, says DairyNZ.

Wool’s smell may combat flystrike

An Australian research project has identified compounds in Merino sheep wool that are attractive to blowflies.

» The RNG Weather Report

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives