The myCOW Podcast
myCOW: Dairy nutrition, cow health & practical NZ farming advice Want to get more milk from your feed? The myCOW Podcast, hosted by Shaun Balemi M.Sc NZARN, is your go-to podcast for practical, science-backed insights that help improve dairy herd performance. Tune in for expert episodes on mineral supplementation, early lactation, heat stress, cow fertility, transition feeding, and milk production. Whether you're in the shed or out on the farm, myCOW helps you make smarter decisions for healthier cows and better results. Supported by Agvance Nutrition and other industry leaders.
Episodes
Southland-based farmer Chris Deroles joins Shaun Balemi to share how his multi-farm business Aurum Farming balances profitability, people and performance. With over 3,000 cows, sharemilking structures, in-shed feeding systems and collar technology in place, Chris unpacks the systems that make their operation run smoothly - from consistent pasture allocation and tight feed control to smart tech use and strong staff culture. Learn ho...
In this episode, Shaun Balemi and Tangaroa Walker dig into the science and practicality of cow condition - what it is (hint: it's not just fat), how it impacts production and reproduction, and how to manage it pre- and post-calving. They cover condition scoring, protein vs fat reserves, transition challenges, staff training, and real-world tools like walk-over scales. A no-fluff conversation packed with practical takeaways.
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.
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 data. Real decisions. Real farmer tal...
In this first episode of the myCOW Podcast, nutritionist Shaun Balemi and Farm4Life founder Tangaroa Walker bring you straight-talking insights on dairy nutrition, cow health, and what it really takes to run a profitable New Zealandfarm. They share their background, why the podcast exists, and how it can help you make better decisions on-farm. No fluff, no product pushing, just practical knowledge from people who care deeply about ...
If you’re farming in the South, Autumn is the time to be thinking about calcium and phosphorus levels for your dairy cows. This is especially important if the herd is being offered feed known to be low in Calcium & Phosphorus, such as fodder beet. Here's a quick watch on this essential topic from Agvance Ruminant Nutritionist, Shaun Balemi. View our Calcium and Phosphorus range: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/min...
Farm 4 Life's Tangaroa Walker tells us how his cows love the loose licks from Agvance. He uses loose licks to supplement minerals during the time that they feed fodder beat on his farm.
At the start of Autumn farmers will be thinking more about the body condition score of their herd. Getting a good plan setup now will help to ensure you're maximising dairy herd potential and minimising potential animal health issues into the next lactation. This short video is presented by Agvance Ruminant Nutritionist Shaun Balemi. A quick overview on monitoring Body Condition and setting your animals up for success. See o...
Shaum Balemi, ruminant nutritionist, talks to Tangaroa from Farm 4 Life about SARA (Sub Acute Ruminal Acidosis) and how that relates to lameness.
Correctly transitioning a dairy cow will ensure both a better functioning rumen and higher levels of available energy in early lactation. Levels of calcium are more effectively maintained and mobilised within the body. These factors combine to reduce the incidence of almost every animal disease experienced in early lactation, right through to better levels of conception later in the spring. Agvance’s anionic salt (negative DCAD) ...
Toxin binders grab onto toxins in the diet and in the blood and strip them out of the cow reducing the toxic effect they have on the cow. Seaweed also performs this role to a minor level but it also helps to support the liver protecting it against toxin damage and helping the liver to repair any low level toxin damage which has occurred. Find out more about heat stress and the Agvance products that contain toxin binders: https://...
These trace minerals are key in reducing the toxic effects of heat stress, protecting the key organs and reproductive system from toxin damage. Find out how you can provide these key minerals to your cows with Agvance:https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress/
Chromium supports the cows metabolism of energy, helping to increase liver energy partitions to the cow. It helps to better utilise the energy from feed also helping to increase cow appetite. Find out more about heat stress and view our cow supplements that combat heat stress: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress/
There are a range of supplements from minerals, to toxin binders to seaweed which all help to support the cow in her fight against the effects of heat stress. View our range of supplements for heat stress: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress/
A drop in appetite from heat stress causes a drop in total energy getting into the cow. This can be managed by increasing the energy density of the total diet with energy dense feeds such as grain or meal fed in the shed. Even feeding extra PKE or potatoes with silage in the night paddock can help to increase cooler temperature feed intakes. Find out more about heat stress and how Agvance products can assist your herd in dealing w...
Quality feed is key to helping to manage a drop in appetite due to heat stress. Quality feed increases quantity eaten and this helps feedback into increasing cow appetite. So feed best quality feed at night when appetite is high with enough quantity that cows can eat as much as they can when they want to eat it. Find out more about heat stress and how Agvance's supplements can help increase the feed quality to your herd: http...
Wetting concrete reducing the heat that reflects off concrete onto cows standing in yards and also wetting the owls aids in her cooling herself. These are simple solutions but very effective in maintaining milk production and cow health. Find out more about heat stress and how Agvance's range of cow supplements can help your herd combat heat stress - learn more here: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress...
Water is key to keep cows cool and to aid in cow function in metabolism. The keys are 1. Having enough water available so cows always have access to the water they want 2. The water is clean and palatable maximising the amount they want to drink. Find out more about heat stress and how Agvance's range of products can assist you to combat heat stress in your herd: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress/
...Shade can drop the effects of Heat Stress by 30-50%. Grazing paddocks with shade during the hot part of the day and grazing non-shade paddocks at night. Find out more about how to reduce heat stress and how Agvance products can help your cows cope in the heat: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/solutions/heat-stress/
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