ARTICLE
Small Gains, Big Impact
How One Waikato Farm Lifted Reproductive and Production Performance
Getting cows through transition in the right condition can make or break both reproductive performance and milk production. On one Waikato farm, a more structured approach to the transition period has delivered measurable gains.
Four years ago, the farm’s empty rate sat at 19%. This season, it is tracking at 10.5%.
Greater attention to pre-calving nutrition, consistency of intake, and mineral balance has supported cows through one of the most demanding stages of the production cycle. It’s resulted in more than just improved reproductive performance — it has also produced a healthier, more resilient herd overall.
Feeding for Consistency, Not Recovery
Alongside reproductive gains, milk production has also trended upward.
Over the course of a year, milk production increased by just over 9%, from 496kgMS to 541kgMS per cow.
This season is on track for approximately 338,000kgMS, with a slightly lower per-cow figure reflecting more milk being allocated to calves — highlighting a system decision rather than a drop in performance.
Behind these numbers is a consistent focus on aligning feed supply with animal demand.
Rather than reacting to pasture shortfalls, the approach has been to anticipate changes in grass growth and quality, adjusting feed inputs accordingly to maintain consistent intake. That has helped minimise production dips and support cows to reach and sustain higher levels of output.
A Systems Approach to Performance
It’s showing how the cumulative effect of multiple small, well-executed decisions benefits the entire system:
- A more structured transition period
- Closer alignment between feed supply and demand
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustment
- A clear focus on consistency
Together, these elements have contributed to a system that supports both productivity and animal wellbeing.
A structured approach to the transition period has helped one Waikato farm lower its empty rate from 19% to 10.5% in just four seasons.
Building Performance from the Start
As many farmers will recognise, outcomes like milk production and empty rates are often decided well before they show up in the data.
They are shaped in the lead-up to calving, influenced by how well cows are supported through transition, and reinforced by how consistently they are fed through early lactation.
It’s a reminder that performance isn’t something that can be recovered later in the season. More often, it’s something that is built early and carried through.
In this case, input from Nutrition Specialists at SealesWinslow has supported the development of the farm’s feeding and transition approach, working alongside the broader system already in place.
According to SealesWinslow Nutrition Specialist Chrissy Alexander, the focus is less on quick fixes and more on setting cows up early.
“Transition is the stage that sets the foundation for the entire season,” she says. “When cows move through this period on a well-structured program that supports consistent feed intake and a smooth progression into lactation, they maintain the right nutrient balance from the start.
“That means you’re building production and condition early, rather than trying to recover what was lost later.”
It reflects a wider shift across the industry, where informed nutritional planning and on-farm collaboration are increasingly being used to underpin performance from the outset, rather than correct it later.
Taking that next step towards an informed nutritional plan comes down to having the right advice and tools in place. Working with a SealesWinslow Nutrition Specialist is the first step to setting the foundation for future performance.
Get in touch with your local Nutrition Specialist for a tailored plan for your farm. See our People page.
