The myCOW Podcast

• Ep 12: Farm Tech - SmaXtec with Jeff Hill & Sara Russell

  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

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• EP 11: Nutrition tips & tricks - Using data to drive cow appetite

  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. TakeawaysWe 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.KeywordsRumen, microbial population, cow digestion, energy levels,microbial protein, appetite, nutrition

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• Ep 10: Pasture gains with Halter - Virtual fencing, better breaks, real results - With Nick Hand

  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

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• Episode 9: Measuring and managing soil health with Conan Moynihan

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

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• Ep 8: Building a strong farm business - With Chris Deroles

  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.

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