Your cows leave more than footprints behind them. Their dung can provide useful clues about feed digestion, pasture changes and what is happening inside the herd. Here is how to look at dairy cow poo without jumping to conclusions.

Sexed semen and beef genetics can both have a place in a dairy breeding programme. The key is matching the mating to the cow and the farm's needs, considering replacement requirements, conception performance, calf value, rearing costs and long-term herd genetics.

Digital dermatitis can become a costly herd problem if small lesions and environmental risks are overlooked. Good footbath management, early detection, individual treatment, clean walking areas and sensible biosecurity all have a role in maintaining healthy dairy cow feet.

Good heat detection remains a combination of knowing the cows and using the right information. From visual signs and standing heat through to activity monitors and rumination data, there are several tools dairy farmers can use to identify cows ready for breeding.

Precision feeding is not about giving every cow a different ration. It is about using technology, data and good observation to provide appropriate nutrition, improve feed accuracy and reduce waste while making the feeding system more efficient.

Alternative forage crops can provide dairy farmers with another tool for managing seasonal feed shortages, dry conditions and changing feed costs. The key is choosing a crop that solves a specific problem and fits the farm's feeding system.

Protein is an important part of the dairy cow diet, but more is not always better. Understanding the relationship between pasture, protein, energy and supplements can help farmers build a more balanced and cost-effective feeding programme.

When Brian Schnell bought a Walco 350 ATV spreader in 2000, he could hardly have expected to still be using it more than 25 years later. Now working into the next generation of the family farm, the trusty spreader continues to handle fertiliser, magnesium and seed applications.

Good silage starts long before the feed reaches the cow. From harvest timing and dry matter through to compaction, sealing, storage and feeding, careful management can protect nutritional value and reduce costly waste.

Cow comfort, calm handling and good dairy design can make a surprising difference to milking efficiency. From cow flow and footing to noise, heat and the daily routine, creating a comfortable milking environment helps cows move willingly and makes the job easier for the whole milking team.

What makes one cow noticeably easier to milk than another? From temperament and teat placement to udder conformation, milking speed and cow flow, we look at the characteristics that can make a real difference in the dairy shed.

The future of dairy farming depends on creating realistic pathways for the next generation. We explore how sharemilking, staged equity, partnerships and succession could help more young farmers build towards ownership.

In day 6 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how New Zealand dairy farmers could rethink effluent as a resource, with opportunities around biogas, nutrient recovery, water reuse and greater farm efficiency.

In day 5 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how plantain, chicory and other diverse, deep-rooting pasture species could help New Zealand dairy farmers build more resilient pastures for dry summers and changing conditions.

In day 4 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how artificial intelligence could help dairy farmers monitor cow movement, behaviour and milking patterns to identify potential health issues earlier.

In day 3 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how dairy farmers can look beyond the milk cheque and consider alternative revenue streams that could build greater resilience into the future farm business.

In day 2 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how virtual fencing and GPS collar technology could change pasture allocation, stock movement and the way New Zealand dairy farmers manage their land.

The dairy cow of the future may need to do more than produce milk. In day 1 of our Future-Proof Dairy series, we explore how breeding for lower methane emissions and greater heat tolerance could help build resilient, efficient dairy herds for the years ahead.

The Shed Specialists Co is bringing a specialist approach to farm shed construction across New Zealand. From implement and production sheds to workshops, lean-tos and architecturally designed buildings, their locally based operators combine national systems with practical regional knowledge to deliver purpose-built sheds designed around the way Kiwi farms operate.

The end of mating is the beginning of planning for the next season. Discover what dairy farmers should review after mating to identify opportunities for better reproductive performance.