Lead feed works. End of story.

OSullivan Bill BEST | Lead feed works. End of story. | DBC

Bill O’Sullivan says getting cows safely through calving in Southland is their priority. Along with his wife, Keri Kahotea, and family they milk 800 cows in a 50-bail rotary on 271ha. They produce 370,000kg of milk solids a year. Dairy farming is a constant challenge, and no two days are the same.

Dodging downer cows

Riordan Johno Cow2 scaled 1 | Dodging downer cows | DBC

Southlander John Riordan knows just how exhausting, time-consuming and expensive that downer cows are at the start of the season. The former sheep and beef farmer converted to dairy in 2008 when the price of lamb “was going nowhere”.