Reduce heat stress

Heat stress in cows happens when they can’t get rid of excess heat, leading to discomfort and lower milk production. Heat-stressed cows eat less to reduce heat from rumination - and you’ll feel that in your vat and your pocket. All areas of New Zealand get hot enough to cause heat stress over summer. To reduce heat stress focus on:

• Providing shade
• Ensuring a good water supply for drinking and cooling
• Adjusting milking times and routine
• Managing what you feed your cows and when.

Work with your farm team to ensure they recognise the signs of heat stress in your herd this summer and take steps to prevent it.

See the 5 signs to watch for and tips to mitigate heat stress

Integrate supplementary feed profitably

Supplements can play different roles in your farm system over the summer. Ensure your planned supplements align with your farm pasture growth curve to maximise pasture harvest, crop yield and profit while meeting cows’ needs. When unexpected deficits occur during droughts or irrigation restrictions, using DairyNZ decision rules and tools will help maximise profit by increasing milk income per kilogram of supplements fed.

Use our supplementary feed calculator to help compare feed types and costs

Choose the best milking interval

Flexible milking refers to varied milking schedules beyond the usual once or twice a day. It can help extend the grazing rotation in mid-lactation, reduce stress on cows, decrease work hours and provide more flexibility for your farm team. Research shows that, depending on how flexible milking is used, it can have minimal impact on production. See how different milking times might affect your weekly schedules and production.

Use our milking time planner tool

Prevent facial eczema

Facial eczema in animals is a disease that damages the liver, reduces production (in some cases by up to 50%), causes skin irritation and peeling, and can sometimes even result in death. It’s caused by a toxin from fungus spores on pasture, which thrive when grass temperatures are above 12°C for a few nights and humidity is high. Signs to watch for:

• Drop in milk production
• Restless cows seeking shade and licking their udder
• Reddened, thickened and peeling skin on exposed areas.

There is no cure, so take preventative measures now including monitoring spore count and either dosing animals with zinc or spraying pastures with fungicide.

See more on these preventative measures

Adjust N use in summer plans

Optimising your use of Nitrogen (N) fertiliser can improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance water quality, meet regulatory requirements and strengthen your bottom line. When using N fertiliser in summer, there’s often a much lower response in pasture growth than seen in spring or autumn. Getting the timing and application of nitrogen fertiliser right will help increase efficiency and minimise nitrogen loss from your farm. Consider a gradual approach to adjusting N in your summer plans to optimise its use. Gain assurance by trying:

• Reduced application rates
• Skipping paddocks
• Working with half paddocks

See the 4 R's of good fertiliser management

Track and manage lameness

Lameness in cows is a complex issue and if not managed well, it can affect reproduction and increase the risk of culling. If you’re experiencing lameness problems seek help from an expert and use the Healthy Hoof programme which considers the whole system including races, walking distances, yard design, cow flow, etc.

The best way to minimise the impact of lameness is to identify and treat it early. Our lameness scoring system can help you track and manage lameness in your herd, allowing for efficient treatment and faster recovery.

Use our lameness scoring system

Practise good youngstock management

Growing heifers well so they meet their liveweight targets, can improve your farm productivity and profitability. Your youngstock have the best genetics in your herd, so giving them the best start will unlock their potential - having a positive effect on their future lactation and maximising your investment. Focus on meeting weight-for-age targets and create a plan to ensure they grow at the right rate to meet them. Set expectations for weight, feeding levels and animal health requirements.

Use our Heifer development plan tool

Be vigilant to stop fall armyworm spread

Fall armyworm is a highly invasive moth that can threaten crops in its larval stage. This pest mainly feeds on sweetcorn and maize, which are vital forages for your herd. Its spread typically begins in December, so if you grow these crops, early detection and regular monitoring are key to protect your feed and prevent the pest’s spread in your community. If you suspect fall armyworm on your property, contact your crop manager right away.

Signs to look for

Comply with NAIT requirements

With the movement of youngstock on or off your property at this time of the year, remember your National Animal Identification & Tracing (NAIT) obligations, including the requirement to record all movements within 48 hours of the animals leaving one property and arriving at another. This system is crucial for tracking animal movements and managing diseases that threaten the farming community.

Understand your obligations