increase font size
Helen Thoday.
DairyNZ says its CalvingSmart workshops attracted 1500 farmers NZ-wide, many with all their staff, over the past two months.
The annual workshops help farmers and staff grasp the right knowledge and skills to give calves the best start.
CalvingSmart is led by DairyNZ’s animal care team headed by Helen Thoday. Local veterinarians are brought in to address subjects such as facial eczema and lameness.
Thoday says there is always new knowledge to gain at the workshops with their relaxed atmosphere and hands-on experience.
“In several places we had to add extra workshops to accommodate everyone.
“The workshops set up farmers and staff for a successful calving season. All get to improve, whether they’re starting out in farming or have 20 years experience.”
Canterbury farmer Rika West went to the Ashburton workshop.
After ten years dairy farming she is now studying for an agribusiness diploma.
She says she liked the interactive learning experience in the workshop.
“The demonstration model showing how the calf needs to move through the cow’s birth canal was far better than seeing it on a slideshow. I wish I’d seen such a presentation when I started out dairy farming.”
Eion Savage, an Irish potato farmer turned contract milker, liked the learning and company of farmers at the Te Awamutu Golf Club workshop.
“It was a fun learning atmosphere with separate sessions at the start for more experienced farmers and another for beginners. And I left having made good connections.”
Savage’s partner Imogen Bryan, a contract milker on another farm, suggested he attend the workshop after having been to one herself a couple of years ago.
DairyNZ’s website has a calving season refresher – dairynz.co.nz/calving -- including the Calf Care Toolkit recently launched to help farmers fine tune their calf care.
The toolkit asks 12 questions and gives instant, tailored feedback on ways to improve, providing web links for more advice and support. Farmers may then discuss the results with their staff, vet or consultant.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its six-yearly Milksolids Levy vote, which will take place from Monday, 16 February to Friday, 13 March 2026.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its upcoming Milksolids Levy vote.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
