How much difference can one per cent make to milk production? How far do cows really walk, and how many times does a farm gate open in a season? Explore the surprising everyday mathematics behind a New Zealand dairy farm.

Why are silage bales round, tanks cylindrical and farm buildings square? Explore the practical engineering behind agricultural shapes, from feed storage and grain handling to machinery, tyres and dairy shed design.

Rat-tailed maggots appearing around grain silos can indicate underlying moisture and drainage problems rather than an infestation of the stored grain itself. Discover what attracts these unusual larvae, where they develop and why maintaining clean, dry storage surroundings matters on New Zealand dairy farms.

Looking to build a future in animal reproduction? The Centre for Reproductive Training (CRT) in Victoria, Australia, offers nine specialist courses combining classroom theory with hands-on practical experience. Open to participants from New Zealand, these courses provide opportunities to develop valuable reproductive skills alongside experienced industry specialists.

Some cows are remembered for their production, some for their personalities and others simply because they were part of the farm for so long. These are the animals that become unforgettable characters in a farmer's memories.

Not every cow becomes known for escaping, causing trouble or taking charge. Sometimes the most easily overlooked cow is the one that has quietly been part of farm life all along.

Some dairy cows are easy to recognise and understand, while others seem to have a character all their own. Meet the cow nobody can quite figure out, the one that keeps surprising the people who know her best.

Neville and Louise Williams have never been afraid to challenge conventional thinking. At their fully certified organic dairy farm beneath Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, they have combined biological farming principles with Lely robotic milking to create a productive, low-stress farming system. With detailed cow health data, improved herd longevity and nearly 100 fewer cows producing the same milk volume, their story demonstrates how innovation and organic dairying can work hand in hand.

Chris and Jenna Pullar knew little about dairying when they purchased a robotic dairy farm in Southland. With six Lely robotic milking machines, an experienced team and a focus on genetics and production, they have quickly embraced automation while expanding their family farming operation.

Every dairy farm seems to have a cow with a reputation for becoming involved in unexpected situations. She may not be deliberately causing trouble, but somehow she always ends up part of the story.

Some cows seem perfectly happy to let others have their way. Then there is the boss cow, an assertive character that quickly becomes familiar to anyone who spends time with the herd.

Every dairy farm seems to have one cow that repeatedly ends up where she should not be. Meet the escape artist, one of the unforgettable characters found on farms.

Every dairy farm has its characters, and there is often one cow that seems to appear whenever something different is happening. She may not know what is going on, but she certainly knows something has changed.

Three leading international Holstein breeders come together at World Dairy Expo to discuss the influential cows, sires and breeding decisions that have shaped the global Holstein breed. An fascinating insight into dairy genetics, cow families and what it takes to breed the ideal modern dairy cow.

Why do cattle gates look different from sheep gates? Why do some farm gates swing while others lift or slide? Discover the surprisingly clever history and engineering behind one of the most familiar objects on a New Zealand farm.

Cows may all look as though they are doing the same thing, but their chewing patterns can be surprisingly different. Discover why feed, rumination, teeth, jaw movement and individual anatomy all influence the way a cow chews.

Dairy farm effluent is more than something to contain and dispose of. When properly managed, it can return valuable nutrients to pasture and become an important part of the farm's nutrient cycle. This final day of our Masterclass in pasture & feed management looks at effluent storage, application timing, soil conditions, nutrient distribution and how farmers can make better use of nutrients already on the farm.

Getting pasture residuals right is one of the simplest ways to keep cows milking well and pastures performing through the season. Too much left behind can mean wasted feed and declining pasture quality, while grazing too hard can knock pasture growth and recovery. The sweet spot is about giving cows enough quality feed while leaving the pasture in the right condition to bounce back quickly for the next rotation.

Feed push-ups are a small but important part of dairy feed management. Understanding cow behaviour, feeding routines and feed accessibility can help farmers make better use of the ration already in front of the herd.

Strategic cropping is about more than growing a high-yielding crop. It is about matching the right crop to the farm's seasonal feed deficit while considering pasture rotation.