What are your downer cows telling you?
While no-one is talking calving complications and downer cows at this time of the year, realistically anyone who struggled with the most critical time of the season is now living with the hangover from it when it comes to fertility and in-calf results. Now is the time to consider what could have been done better and what could make a difference next season.
Making money milking cows on 5.5ha
Peter and Claire Hansen are turning a profit milking less than 30 cows on five (effective) hectares near Rangiora. The decision to set up to supply raw milk to the public wasn’t without significant risk for this couple. They were already heavily committed in another business, and they had to build Fernside Fresh from the ground up with no promises and significant capital investment.
You can’t save yourself into profit
Irishman Bill O’Sullivan has reluctantly agreed to go on the record…twice. His reason is simple. He is deeply concerned that too many New Zealand dairy farmers appear to have little idea about what “lead feed” is, what it does, how it helps minimise milk fever, and how that impacts across their whole business. Bill keeps meticulous records of cow health and events on their property.
Lofty life and production goals
Ferdie Vries is exactly where he wants to be – dairying on some of the best country New Zealand has to offer.
