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 says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.
