Planned animal health and production service (PAHAPS) in New Zealand dairy herds

Abstract

New Zealand dairy farming is a low cost grassland operation. It is based primarily on a seasonal system of management whereby the calving pattern of the herd is concentrated so that maximum milk production coincides with the greatest pasture production for grazing. While techniques for planned animal health and production systems had been developed in other countries, modifications were likely to be required if they were to be applied to this production system.  A feasibility study was carried out on a group of 18 Waikato seasonal supply dairy farms; the results of this study are presented in this paper.