NEW ZEALAND GRAZING COMPANY NEWSLETTERS
Stay up to date with the latest news, updates, and insights from New Zealand Grazing Company. Browse our monthly newsletters below – and if you’d like these sent straight to your inbox, simply email us at office@nzgrazing.co.nz
New Zealand Grazing Company: November 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to the November edition of the New Zealand Grazing Company newsletter.
With the race to Christmas officially on, we know it’s one of the busiest times of the year on-farm. The to-do list seems endless, from wrapping up AI, mating and getting weaners ready to head out to grazing, to tackling cropping, silage, shearing, and dipping.
Thankfully, the weather has been kind for most of the North Island, with recent good rain providing a welcome boost for grass growth as we head into summer for most but not all regions.
Here at New Zealand Grazing, our team has been working hard actively managing the growth and mating requirements of the 2024-born heifers alongside our network of amazing growers. Our focus also incorporates the movement of the next generation of weaner heifers ensuring it is well aligned and effortless. Don’t forget to prepare weaners well for trucking – off green grass (for at least 4 hours prior) with access to fibre and water. This will help them get over trucking and back to grazing sooner.
We are also preparing for our role in sponsorship of the 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference being held in Christchurch 3-5th December. We are excited about our involvement and our small team of staff who will be attending and are looking forward to learn more about the amazing technological advances in the industry. Record numbers have registered so we hope we get to see some of you there!
Check out the website https://www.precisiondairyfarmingconference.nz/
While managing our day-to-day business, we also keep a close eye on wider industry issues. A new noxious weed, which has arrived in the Far North, is beginning to spread south. We feel it is critical to inform you about this threat so we can all play a part in its eradication, Madagascar Ragwort. We hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter and are enjoying the warmer weather in your busy lives.
Bridget Clark – New Zealand Grazing Company Operations Manager + Director
That Familiar October Buzz…
You can feel it in the air, can’t you? That October buzz that means we’re on the home stretch to Christmas. With calving and lambing mostly in the rearview mirror, the to-do list is still long—from weaning and docking to the crucial management of spring grass. If only we could control the weather to make it perfect.
This season keeps us on our toes at NZ Grazing Company as well. We’ve been busy ensuring our Jersey lads are allocated and safely out on their mission with the heifers.
We couldn’t do it without our fantastic team and partners. A big thanks to our bull growers, who have once again raised an outstanding crop of bulls. And to our service managers, thank you for the countless hours spent planning and coordinating—it’s no easy job, and we appreciate you.
From all of us here, may your spring be kind and your breeding season a great success!
Bridget Clark -Operations Manager + Company Director
SEPTEMBER 2025…
Another month has flown by and here we are, closing in on the end of September 2025. They say time flies when you’re having fun—or maybe it just seems to speed up as we get older!
A couple of recent headlines caught my attention, both sad and humorous in their own ways. After a long four-year saga, Tom Phillips and his three children were finally found. While the reunion didn’t bring the tidy ending many hoped for, it is at least a step forward for that family’s healing. On a much lighter note, my daughter recently announced to me:
“Mum, Taylor Swift got engaged this week and the world went crazy.”
To which I replied, “Really? I must have missed that.”
Her response: “Pull the rock back over yourself, Mum!”
It just goes to show—what matters to one person may not matter to another.
Turning to farming news, what strikes me most is the pace of change—particularly around technology. From sheep farmers using drones for lambing beats, saving hours every day, to dairy farmers using wearables to dramatically improve herd reproduction results, the sector is shifting quickly. Of course, technology doesn’t suit everyone, and not every new tool will deliver on its promises. Before diving in, it’s worth asking: Why do I want to make this change? What will the benefits be for me? Do the research, ask questions, and make sure the rest of your business keeps humming while you’re learning something new. Farming already demands a huge range of skills—so if you do invest in new technology, also invest the time needed to get the most from it.
Keep learning, take on what’s relevant to you and your farm, and enjoy the coming months of spring. Here’s to plenty of growth—grass, stock, and knowledge alike.
Bridget Clark – New Zealand Grazing Company Operations Manager + Director
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER UPDATE
Not only are product prices at an all time high, our Heifer growth performance from 1st May has been well ahead of last year – in fact, shaping up to be our best season yet.
This month’s news update covers NAIT and spring calving, timely topics as we move into the busy months.
We’re fully prepared for mating, with our bulls in top condition and ready for the work ahead.
Weather has been on our side, giving pastures a great lift. Let’s hope the rest of the season is as kind.
We also welcome Rick Nelson to our team.
At New Zealand Grazing Company, not only are we proud of being an integral part of farming, we are proud to be part of the Grower team that delivers great heifers back into our Owner herds as they achieve a Successful Herd Entry and increased profit.
Wishing you continued great farming
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
WELCOME TO OUR MID-WINTER NEWSLETTER
The weather has certainly thrown some challenges our way lately. The heavy frosts have been testing newborn calves and our own tolerance for the cold! I’m currently writing this from a friend’s kitchen table, as my satellite Wi-Fi decided to go on strike in a −3∘ frost – and I know I wasn’t the only one in the area with that problem. But on the bright side, the days are getting longer!
Last week, our New Zealand Grazing team managed to find the sunshine during our professional development conference in the mighty Manawatū. It was great for our out-of-towners to experience the beautiful views from the new road between Ashhurst and Woodville.
In this edition, we’re focusing on the season ahead. We discuss bull selection for first-mating heifers and showcase the benefits of using our Jersey bulls. This is also a busy time for our bull growers, who are getting the lads ready for mating. A massive thank you to our growers from Northland down to the Manawatū – you are a vital part of our team!
We hope August is a successful month on your farm with all that it brings, as we all head towards spring.
Bridget Clark – New Zealand Grazing Company Operations Manager + Director
JUNE 2025…
As winter settles in, it’s a key time for both dairy farmers and grower farmers to focus on setting up for a successful spring. Careful pasture management over the coming weeks is crucial — not just for maintaining feed quality and animal performance now, but for ensuring heifers are in the best condition to hit their targets ahead of the start of mating.
For our dairy farmer clients, rest assured your heifers are being well looked after through the winter months, with a focus on animal health, growth, and preparing them for mating. Don’t miss out, book in your weaners before 31 July to ensure a priority grazing placement and be in for 2 chances to win a $500 voucher of your choice.
For our grazing partners, thank you for your ongoing work in managing pastures and heifers through sometimes challenging winter conditions. Your efforts now lay the foundation for optimal spring growth and long term pasture performance.
This quieter period (at least compared to spring!) is also a valuable opportunity to take a breather, step off the farm when you can, and recharge before the full swing of calving and mating begins again.
In this edition, we’ll share some pre-spring preparation tips, see what NIWA says about the upcoming weather, and learn more about what our team have been up to as we look ahead to the busy season.
Stay warm and take care
Bridget Clark – New Zealand Grazing Company Operations Manager + Director
MAY 2025: RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Despite the challenges posed by adverse weather events across many districts this season, it’s been incredibly rewarding to return in-calf heifers that have consistently hit their target weights. The positive feedback from owners has been a real boost— not only for us at NZ Grazing but also for the dedicated Growers whose commitment and stockmanship made these results possible.
While the paddocks may look lush after recent rains, the lingering effects of low rainfall mean that pasture energy levels remain a concern. Many of our Growers are wisely supplementing with hay or silage to keep growth on track, particularly for the 2024-born heifers now deep into their May-to-May growth year.
In this issue, we share more on managing nutrition through winter, spotlight some standout results, and offer practical advice to keep your heifers growing steadily through the colder months.
Wishing you good farming
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
APRIL: A SEASON OF MILESTONES
April is a busy and rewarding time for us all at NZ Grazing. We’re returning the 2023-born heifers—now in calf and ready to begin long, profitable lives in their home herds. It’s always satisfying to see well-grown animals heading back to their farms, knowing they have the best possible foundation for fertility and production.
At the same time, we’re welcoming more 2024-born heifers into their May-to-May growth period. This next phase is crucial for setting them up for success, ensuring they reach their weight and development targets efficiently.
Let’s make this a great season for the future of your herd.
Wishing you Happy Easter and good farming
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
GROWING HEIFERS, GROWING PROFIT
As we move through March and into the final month of April for the Spring 2023 born heifers, it’s a good time to ensure these heifers are tracking toward their targets and few, if any are likely to incur penalty rates.
For the past nearly 40 years, we at NZ Grazing have known that bigger, well-grown heifers set the foundation for a more profitable herd—delivering better fertility, higher lifetime production, and a lower carbon footprint per kilogram of milk solids.
Join us to share our insights on achieving optimal heifer growth, updates on pasture conditions, and how our grazing systems help you achieve more with less effort. Let’s make sure your young stock are on track to perform at their best for the rest of their productive life.
Read on to find out more.
Wishing you good farming and just the right amount of rain.
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
BULIDING ON SUCCESS IN 2025
Following the success of our SHE booklet, we’ve completed another valuable resource named ‘Become a Better Grower’—this time designed specifically for Growers.
This latest booklet shares insights from our most experienced Growers, providing a clear path to success for those looking to maximise their potential. By learning from the best, new Growers can fast-track their progress and contribute to a more efficient, profitable system.
At NZ Grazing Company, we’re always looking for ways to support your success, and this new resource is just one of the many ways we’re helping to create a stronger, more sustainable future. If you’re interested, reach out—we’d love to share more.
Wishing you good farming!
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
WELCOME TO 2025…
A Fresh Start for a Profitable Year Ahead
As we step into a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our farmers and partners. The festive season has given our team at NZ Grazing Company a well-deserved break to recharge, and we’re now back with renewed energy and focus.
This year, we’re more committed than ever to helping you achieve profitable dairy replacements. With our proven systems, expert team, and dedication to sustainable practices, we’re here to support your success and ensure your dairy heifers thrive.
Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, efficiency, and strong returns for your farming business. We look forward to working alongside you to achieve your goals.
Wishing you good farming
Ian Wickham – New Zealand Grazing Company Founder + Director
Strong heifers today, stronger herds tomorrow.
