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 rumin...

In this episode of the myCOW podcast, Shaun Balemi sits down with Tangaroa Walker for an honest conversation about resilience, farming, family and the long road to farm ownership. For the first time, Tangaroa shares the story behind his recent farm purchase, including the highs, setbacks and big decisions that shaped the process. From growing up across 16 different homes and finding stability thro...

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, v...

Late lactation is one of the most important windows for setting cows up for calving, early lactation, peak milk and reproductive performance. In this episode of the myCOW podcast, dairy nutritionist Shaun Balemi explains why building cow condition before dry-off matters, and why the type of condition gained can affect cow health after calving. Shaun breaks down the difference between subcutaneous...

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 importan...

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 an...

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...

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 y...

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% th...

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 wh...

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...

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 bette...

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...

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 imp...

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 conversatio...

What happens when you drop cow numbers and focus on feeding them better? In this episode, Shaun Balemi sits down with Ben Croft, a seasoned Canterbury dairy farmer, to unpack how reducing stocking rate improved cow condition, simplifiedmanagement, and increased farm profit. They talk body condition scoring, feed strategies, and how fewer, better-fed cows delivered more milk and less stress. Real d...

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 calving Feeding tips to keep cows full and reduce stress How to get minerals right for better health and fewer downer cows Setting cows up for goo...

Get more from every cow, every litre and every paddock. In this first episode, dairy nutritionist Shaun Balemi introduces the myCOW Podcast – a practical, science-led series created for New Zealand dairy farmers and ag professionals. Shaun shares his background in dairy farming and nutrition, why he’s launching myCOW, and how the podcast (and upcoming app) will deliver clear insights from milk, co...