The most valuable cow in the herd is not always the highest-producing cow — it is often the one that stays healthy, fertile and productive for many seasons. Involuntary culling can quietly reduce farm profitability by removing cows before they have delivered their full potential. Understanding the causes behind premature herd exits is the first step towards improving cow longevity.

An empty cow represents far more than a number on a reproduction report. From lost milk production and additional feed costs to replacement pressures and lost genetic progress, the true cost of poor fertility can impact dairy businesses for years. Understanding the financial impact of empty cows is the first step towards improving herd performance and long-term sustainability.

The future fertility of a dairy cow begins long before she enters the milking herd. From quality colostrum and early nutrition to rumen development and weaning weight, the first 100 days of calf rearing play a critical role in shaping healthy, productive replacement heifers.

Fertility isn't just about energy and body condition. Trace minerals quietly influence conception, immunity and calf survival, yet deficiencies often go unnoticed until reproductive performance begins to slip.

Fertility doesn't begin when the bulls go out or AI starts. It begins months—and often years—earlier. Discover why nutrition, body condition and young stock management play a bigger role in reproductive performance than many farmers realise.

Heavy rain is an unavoidable part of farming in New Zealand, but the long-term effects of pasture pugging don't have to be. Careful planning, flexible grazing strategies and protecting soil structure can help dairy farmers minimise damage, safeguard production and speed pasture recovery once the weather improves.

Every extra lactation a dairy cow completes can significantly improve farm profitability. From breeding and nutrition to transition management and lameness prevention, here's how New Zealand farmers can build herds that stay healthy, fertile and productive well into their later years.

Mastitis is more than a treatment event. The hidden costs of reduced production, increased labour and lost cow performance make prevention one of the most valuable investments in dairy herd management.

Should dairy calves stay indoors all winter? This article explores when healthy calves can safely enjoy fresh air, winter sunshine and outdoor play, and why careful timing can improve welfare, immunity and development on New Zealand dairy farms.

Introducing calf starter at the right time is essential for healthy rumen development and successful weaning. This guide explains when to offer feed, what type of calf meal to choose, and how early nutrition sets New Zealand dairy calves up for lifelong productivity.

Good hygiene is vital during calf rearing, but can calf feeders become too clean? This article explores the balance between preventing disease and allowing calves to naturally develop resilient immune systems, drawing on practical on-farm experience and current understanding of calf health.

The right calf housing and bedding provide the foundation for healthy, fast-growing replacement heifers. From ventilation and drainage to straw, wood shavings and deep bedding systems, discover what works best for New Zealand dairy farms while balancing comfort, hygiene and practical management.

Effective hygiene is essential on every dairy farm, but can calves benefit from some exposure to everyday microbes? We explore the balance between sanitising dairy sheds, maintaining milk quality, and supporting healthy immune system development in young calves.

Growing up on a New Zealand farm offers children lessons that can't be taught in a classroom. From resilience and responsibility to teamwork and a deep respect for the land, discover why rural life continues to shape capable, confident adults and why the greatest harvest any farm produces is the next generation.

The first day of a calf's life is the most important. From colostrum and warmth to navel care and reducing stress, those first 24 hours lay the foundation for a healthy, productive dairy cow. This final article in our seven-part calf rearing series explores why getting the basics right from the very beginning pays dividends for years to come.

Behind every successful farming business are people working together through early mornings, long days, financial pressure and unpredictable seasons. While farming couples are experts at managing cows, grass and budgets, managing the relationship that holds everything together can sometimes be the biggest challenge of all.

Strong milk payouts and record livestock prices are helping New Zealand farmers reduce debt, according to new Federated Farmers and Reserve Bank data. Agricultural lending has fallen by $1.4 billion over the past year, while farmer satisfaction with rural banks has reached its highest level in eight years. However, the arable sector continues to face significant financial pressure amid weak grain prices and rising production costs.

Probiotics are becoming a valuable tool in calf rearing, but timing matters. Should they be introduced while the calf is still developing in utero through the cow's diet, or only once the calf is born? We explore the science and practical application for New Zealand dairy farmers.

Most major farm expenses don't begin with a catastrophic failure. They begin with a small compromise, a delayed repair or a decision to save a few hundred dollars. Here's why the cheapest option today can become the most expensive decision you'll ever make.

Cows thrive on routine, yet modern farming often demands change. From altered milking times to new gateways and unfamiliar machinery, even small disruptions can influence behaviour, milk production and herd wellbeing. Understanding why cows dislike sudden change could make life easier for both farmers and their animals.