Displaying items by tag: animal health

With calving fast approaching, dairy farmers and calf readers are planning for the busy months ahead. But NZAgbiz suggests that planning for long term productivity and profitable returns is about much more than preparing to cope with the demands of the season.

Newborn calves rely on antibodies in colostrum for protection while their own immune system matures.

A 12-year-old bull with over 150,000 daughters has been inducted into an elite animal ‘Hall of Fame’ for his outstanding contribution to dairy herd improvement in New Zealand.

Metabolic diseases primarily affect ewes in late pregnancy and sometimes early lactation. These can have a huge economic impact on a farming operation - especially if there are large losses of capital stock. In the first of two articles, we take a look at pregnancy toxaemia.

In the lead up to lambing season, farmers are being advised not to blanket drench ewes, particularly with long-acting drench products.

Genetics can help dairy farmers take steps this season to reduce their emissions while they wait for further new tools and technologies to be developed, says CRV managing director James Smallwood.

The volume and depth of genomic data on elite dairy cows in the US dwarfs what is available in New Zealand.

Suspicion that the Halter system is cruel and unnatural is misplaced, say panellists at the Halter-organised Dairy 2032 event in Christchurch recently.

Having the ability to target feed ewes that will offer the best return on investmnt is one of the main benefits of pregnancy scanning - but there are others.

Automatic teat spraying is no longer just about labour savings, says dairy automation company GEA.