The myCOW Podcast

In this episode of the myCOW podcast, Shaun Balemi and Ben Matthews talk with Baden from ProTag about how smart livestock wearables could change the way New Zealand dairy farmers understand their cows.ProTag is developing a lightweight smart ear tag that combines cow behaviour data with GPS location, giving farmers a clearer view of what is happening across the herd. The conversation covers rumination, grazing behaviour, heat detection, lameness signals, pasture use, cow movement, social behaviour and how location data can make wearable technology more useful on pasture-based farms.Baden shares how ProTag was developed, why the ear was chosen as the best place to collect data and how wearable technology could help farmers make better decisions around herd health, reproduction, feed use and farm management.Takeaways:Why GPS adds important context to cow behaviour dataHow smart ear tags can help track grazing, rumination, movement and restingWhat cow location can tell farmers about pasture use and mob behaviourHow wearable data may support heat detection, lameness monitoring and draftingWhy New Zealand-built farm technology matters for pasture-based systemsHow future data could help farmers better understand cow efficiency and feed intakeListen now to hear how livestock wearables are moving beyond activity tracking and opening up new possibilities for dairy farm management.Keywords:New Zealand dairy farming, dairy podcast, myCOW podcast, livestock wearables, smart ear tags, ProTag, cow GPS tracking, dairy cow technology, pasture management, herd health

In this episode of the myCOW podcast, Shaun Balemi sits down with Reporoa dairy farmer Alastair Neville to talk through his family farming story, the move to autumn calving and how better information is changing day-to-day management.Alastair shares how a more consistent diet through mating has helped improve in-calf results, why rumen consistency matters and how collar data, milk test results, vets and nutrition support are helping him make better decisions on farm.The conversation also covers covered feed pad systems, homegrown feed, proactive management, cow efficiency, community involvement and the value of getting outside your own farm gate.Listen now for a practical farmer conversation on consistency, data, autumn calving and feeding cows well.Key takeawaysAutumn calving has helped create more consistency through mating and improved in-calf results.A consistent diet supports rumen performance, milk production and reproduction.Collar data can help farmers connect changes in diet, milk test results and mating outcomes.Proactive management means making feeding decisions earlier, rather than waiting for production to drop.Vets, nutritionists and data tools can help farmers get more value from wearable technology.Covered feed pads, homegrown feed and flexible systems give farmers more control through variable seasons.Small feeding adjustments can help improve cow efficiency and overall performance.KeywordsDairy farming, myCOW podcast, autumn calving, in-calf rates, rumen health, dairy cow nutrition, collar data, proactive management, feed efficiency

Maximise Production with Smart Calf Rearing: ShaunBalemi sits down with lactation physiologist Dr Adam Geiger to break down the calf rearing decisions that drive future milk production, first lactation performance and lifetime cow productivity. They cover colostrum management for passive transfer, how to reduce bacterial contamination in calf feeding gear, and why the first 60–90 days are important for mammary gland development and genetic potential. You’ll also hear practical guidance on milk feeding rates(including higher volumes), a slower weaning plan (7–14 days), calf starter and calf meal formulation (starch, protein, fibre targets), and why water quality testing can make or break solid feed intake. Dr Geiger explains trace mineral reducing gaps when feeding whole milk, with a focus on manganese, zinc, copper and iodine, plus vitamins like D and E, and how iron in water can interfere with mineral availability. Key takeaways:Colostrum management is crucial for calf health and future milk production.The first 60 to 90 days of a calf's life are critical for udder development.Higher feeding rates of milk lead to better growth and health in calves.Water quality significantly impacts calf health and feed intake.Manganese is essential for hormone production and mammary growth.Calf meal formulation should balance starch, protein, and fibre for optimal growth.Testing water quality can reveal issues that affect calf nutrition.Whole milk lacks essential trace minerals and vitamins needed for calf growth.Establishing a routine in feeding helps calves adapt better to solid feed.Investing in calf nutrition can lead to better lifetime productivity in dairy cows.Key terms:Calf rearing for milk production Colostrum management dairy calves Passive transfer colostrum Mammary development first 60 days High milk feeding rates calves Calf weaning programme 7–14 days Calf starter meal starch protein fibre Dairy calf water quality testing Trace minerals for calves zinc copper iodine manganese Iron in water blocks mineral absorption calves

If you’ve ever wished your cows could tell you they’re crook before they crash with milk fever or mastitis, this one’s for you. Shaun sits down with SmaXtec NZ country manager Jeff Hill and Canterbury sharemilker Sara to unpack how in-rumen boluses measure internal temperature, rumen motility, water intake and pH, and what that data actually changes on farm. Sara shares how she’s used SmaXtec for more than four years across 930 Jersey cows, cutting antibiotic use, cleaning staph out of the herd and tightening reproduction by treating problems earlier and more precisely. Jeff adds real-world examples of farms dropping milk fever by 80–90 percent and pulling bulk cell counts down by around 100,000 through better alert triage and year-round monitoring. They also talk through water intake and pH data, how to avoid alert fatigue with smart triage, and why the farmers who lean into the data get the biggest gains in cow health, fertility and staff time.Main takeaways:Boluses track internal temp, activity, water, and pH from inside.Early temp alerts catch sick cows days before symptoms.Used well, systems cut milk fever, cell counts, and antibiotics.Water intake trends highlight trough access, welfare and appetite issues.pH boluses show how herds cope with diet changes.Best results come when farmers actively use and review data.Smart triage tools cut alert noise during busy periods.KeywordsSmaXtec bolus, dairy cow health monitoring, in-rumen sensors, internal temperature monitoring, rumen pH bolus, water intake monitoring, mastitis detection, milk fever prevention, ketosis alerts, dairy reproduction performance, New Zealand dairy farming, farm technology, animal welfare dairy, myCOW podcast, Shaun Balemi

Nick Hand, senior account manager at Halter, joins myCOW to talk practical pasture management and the tech that actually moves the needle. We cover virtual fencing, accurate allocation, and why the best results come from doing the basics well and doing them consistently. Nick shares on-farm numbers too, including flat, irrigated herds lifting pasture harvested by 6% in year one and a further 7% the next, with flow-on gains in repro, plus what a realistic “minimum” looks like for most farms. We dig into behaviour data beyond rumination — eating, moving and resting — and how changes in the four days post-calving link with conception rate. You’ll hear simple ways farmers use these trends for earlier calls on residuals, health, and heat detection. Nick also covers onboarding and support, discussion groups where farmers swap what’s working, and handy in-paddock tactics like easing competition at break start, adding small extensions from your phone, and running multiple shifts without reels. If you want steadier residuals, higher ME, and better use of your day, this one’s for you.Key takeaways6% increase in pasture harvested in the first year.Contract milkers improve efficiency by checking cows regularly.Great farmers can achieve even greater results with the right practices.Technology plays a crucial role in modern farming.Sustainable practices are essential for future farming success.Regular monitoring enables better resource management.Farmers are adapting to new methods for better yields.Efficiency in farming can lead to significant economic gains.Collaboration among farmers enhances knowledge sharing.Challenges in agriculture require innovative solutions.KeywordsPasture management, technology in farming, sustainable agriculture, farming efficiency, agricultural challenges

Farming’s tough on more than just the land - it takes a toll on people, too. In this chat, we talk about how health issues like vertigo and tinnitus can hit farmers hard, what role medication and treatments like acupuncture can play, and how staying on top of your own health matters just as much as your cows’. We also discuss farm safety rules, the environment, working together as an industry, and how tech can actually make life easier. There’s talk of family farming, syndicate ownership, and why good pasture and consistent feed still sit at the heart of healthy, productive herds.TakewaysNavigating health challenges can be complex and frustrating.Personal experiences with vertigo can significantly impact daily life.Medication can have unexpected effects on mental health and mood.Acupuncture may provide relief for certain health issues.Health and safety regulations can create challenges infarming.Environmental concerns are increasingly relevant in farming practices.Collaboration within the farming industry can lead to better outcomes.Technology is transforming modern farming practices.Family dynamics play a crucial role in farming businesses.Syndicate ownership offers an alternative to traditionalfarming methods.KeywordsHealth challenges, vertigo, tinnitus, acupuncture, health and safety, environmental concerns, farming practices, technology in farming, family business, pasture management.

Ketosis can be a hidden problem in dairy herds, knocking milk production and cow health long after calving. In this episode, Shaun Balemi explains what really goes on inside the cow’s liver, why blood testing matters, and how diet plays a big part in keeping cows on track. He covers practical points like transition feeding, protein quality, and managing over-conditioned cows before calving. Shaun also shares how new tech can help farmers keep an eye on cow health and behaviour, making it easier to spot issues early and stay ahead of ketosis.Takeaways:Ketosis is the buildup of ketone bodies in the blood.Liver health is crucial for managing ketosis in cows.Nutritional factors significantly influence ketosis development.Signs of ketosis include reduced appetite and rapid condition loss.Blood testing is essential for monitoring ketosis levels.Technological advancements can aid in predicting ketosis in cows.Identifying triggers for ketosis can help in prevention strategies.Transition feeding is critical for cow health post-calving.The quality and quantity of protein in the diet affect the risk of ketosis.Managing over-conditioned cows is vital to prevent ketosis.

In this episode, Shaun Balemi is joined by agri-tech engineer Ben to launch a new segment on farming innovation. They unpack the latest in cow wearables, sensor data, geofencing and how tech is (actually) helping – or sometimes hindering – real NZ dairy farmers. From practical decision-making to reducing admin and managing staff time, this episode sets the scene for future tech-focused conversations.

The three weeks before calving can make or break how well your cows perform in the season ahead. In this episode, Shaun Balemi shares simple, practical ways to set cows up for a smooth transition, including:What’s happening inside the cow leading up to calvingFeeding tips to keep cows full and reduce stressHow to get minerals right for better health and fewer downer cowsSetting cows up for good milk production and faster recovery post-calvingReal-world advice you can put to work straight away to help your herd calve down in better shape.