The myCOW Podcast

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 k...

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...

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 ...

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 ea...

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 ...

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 f...

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, ult...

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...

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 good milk production and faster recove...

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, cow, feed and farm data to lift effici...