The myCOW Podcast

Matt McDonald farms his family’s 74ha Waikato dairy unit at Gordonton, milking about 255 cows at peak, with an 8ha maize block that’s part of the system for wintering and keeping cows on track.

In this myCOW farmer interview, Matt shares the early setbacks that shaped him (including a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at school), and how DairyNZ support and study helped build his approach to pasture and performance.

You’ll hear the practical tech and management tools he’s using as a one-man operation: Datamars collars for heat detection and day-to-day herd signals (rumination and feeding minutes), plus how he uses those numbers to keep diet consistency through spring and mating. Matt also talks AIMER for pasture planning when time is tight, and the agronomy changes (including lime and trace elements in fert mixes) that helped increase grass growth.

Mating results, data habits, and the simple recording systems he uses day to day are covered, too.

Key takeaways

• Build a system that works when you’re time-poor, not just when you’ve got help on hand

• Use wearables as an early warning system: watch rumination and feeding trends, then adjust before performance drops

• Keep rumination higher than feeding minutes as a simple gut check on ration consistency

• Separate heifers early enough before mating to reduce competition and settle the hierarchy

• Fix pasture growth at the cause: soil tests, lime, and trace elements can move the dial more than “just add urea”

• Better heat data can sharpen mating decisions and lift results, including identifying cows that haven’t cycled

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.

Keywords

SmaXtec 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

Shaun looks at why feeding the rumen microbes first is the smartest way to lift appetite, digestion and cow health as cows head through peak milk into mating. He discusses how better quality and balance of energy and protein build the microbial “workforce”, how that flows through to liver function, hormones, milk protein, fat, lactose and urea, and how using milk and collar data on farm can help you spot appetite issues early and keep cows eating, milking and holding condition.

Takeaways

• We need to think about how we're feeding the rumen.
• Better feeding translates into increased microbial numbers.
• Once the cow is full, digestion begins.
• Microbe numbers drop and are digested as protein.
• Feeding the cow well improves energy and proteinmetabolites.
• Microbial protein is crucial for cow digestion.
• Energy levels impact microbial population.
• Appetite in cows is driven by nutrition.
• Feeding strategies are vital for cow health.
• Rumen health is essential for productivity.

Keywords

Rumen, microbial population, cow digestion, energy levels, microbial protein, appetite, nutrition

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 takeaways

• 6% 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.

Keywords

Pasture management, technology in farming, sustainable agriculture, farming efficiency, agricultural challenges

In this episode, Shaun catches up with Colin Moynihan, from Force of Nature Consulting, to talk about what’s really going on beneath our feet — the soil.

They dig (pun intended) into what makes good soil tick, how to tell if yours is in good shape, and why it matters for pasture, stock, and long-term farm performance.

Colin shares practical tips for checking soil structure and biology, explains why soil aggregation is worth paying attention to, and talks about how healthy soil leads to healthier animals. They also look ahead to where sustainable farming is heading and why nutrient-dense feed starts with what’s in the ground.Takeaways:

• Soil quality is fundamental for overall farm productivity.
• Visual soil assessments provide quick insights into soil health.
• Soil aggregation is crucial for root development and nutrient access.
• Soil microbiology plays a key role in nutrient cycling.
• Improving soil health can reduce the need for chemical fertilisers.
• Diversity in pasture species enhances soil microbiome diversity.
• Nutrient density in feed is linked to soil health.
• Effective soil management can lead to better livestock health.
• Farmers should regularly assess soil conditions and adjustpractices accordingly.
• Collaboration with soil consultants can enhance farm management strategies.

Keywords

Soil quality, soil health, farming practices, soil microbiology, nutrient density, sustainable agriculture, visual soil assessment, soil structure, livestock health, agronomy.

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.

Takeways

• Navigating 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.

Keywords

Health challenges, vertigo, tinnitus, acupuncture, health and safety, environmental concerns, farming practices, technology in farming, family business, pasture management.

In this episode, we’re pleased to welcome Ben Matthews back, as we take a look at cow wearables and how they’re starting to fit into everyday farming. We run through the types of gear out there, from collars to monitoring systems, and what they can actually tell you about cow health and nutrition.  

It’s not just about collecting numbers. The real value comes when the data helps farmers make better calls, whether that’s spotting an issue earlier or finding ways to run the herd more efficiently.

We also discuss the challenge of selecting tech that suits your farm and why it matters that different systems work together rather than adding more headaches.

We also touch on where monitoring technology might head next and its potential impact on dairy farming.

Takeaways

• Cow wearables provide valuable data for improving farm efficiency.
• Different types of wearables include boluses, collars, and ear tags.
• Rumination minutes are a key metric for cow health.
• Data analysis helps in making informed decisions about cownutrition.
• Integration of technology is crucial for effective farm management.
• Farmers should trial different software to find the bestfit.
• Collaboration between tech companies can enhance data insights.
• Research is ongoing to improve the accuracy of wearable technology.
• The future of cow monitoring looks promising with AI advancements.
• Choosing the right technology depends on specific farm needs.

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 and Tangaroa Walker dig into the science and practicality of cow condition and nutrition in dairy farming. Shaun emphasises the need for farmers to monitor cow condition closely and to understand the different types of fat in cows.

They cover the impact of feeding practices, the role of protein, and the challenges of transitioning cows. The hosts share insights on how to improve cow health and efficiency, ultimately leading to better farm profitability.

Takeaways

•  Cow condition is crucial for dairy farm success.
• Monitoring cow condition regularly can prevent issues.
• Training staff to observe cow condition is beneficial.
• Nutrition plays a key role in cow health and performance.
• Different types of fat affect cow health differently.
• Protein intake is essential for maintaining cow condition.
• Feeding practices can influence the type of fat cows store.
• Fodder beet can be both beneficial and problematic.
• Eliminating variation in cow condition leads to better outcomes.
• Developing practical farming insights is a continuous journey.

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.