Herd testing information for the 21/22 season

For more information have a look at our herd test information booklet.

New devices for EZ Link

This season, we’re upgrading our EZ Link devices.

Following trials with around 200 farmers, the new EZ Link device is the Zebra TC57x, which has a full touch screen.

Feedback we received from farmers was that the device was easy to use, reliable (no freezing or restarting) and used little battery.

We are hoping to roll these out in September 2021.

Extended Flasks

The New Zealand Dairy Statistics show average milk production per cow is slowly increasing over the years.

To accommodate the increase in milk production per cow, we are increasing the quantity of extended flasks in circulation.

Where a flask is filled to the brim, fat residue from the milk can be left on the flask cap during the mixing process in the lab. Extended flasks will reduce the number of overflow flasks required and help ensure accurate mixing of the sample.

Health and Safety – kick rails

We’re committed to working with you to ensure hazards and risks on-farm are identified and safe work takes place on every occasion.

There have been instances in the past where our herd test staff have been injured by a cow because a kick rail wasn’t installed in the shed. We are confident the presence of a kick rail would have prevented these injuries from occurring.

In order for an LIC herd test assist to service a farm, a kick rail must installed in the shed where they are working.

Our herd test team will work with farmers to offer advice on any health and safety hazards in the cowshed and how they can be mitigated to ensure we can continue to offer our Herd Test Assist service.

Notification of milking regime and herd detail changes

If your milking regimes or any other details about your herd change throughout the season it’s important you let us know at least two weeks in advance of your herd test by emailing herdtesting@lic.co.nz or calling our help line on 0800 837 843.

This is to ensure sufficient equipment is delivered and the shed is set up in time for your milking. if we aren’t notified of herd or regime changes, and an additional delivery for equipment is required a fee of $195.00 may be charged.