Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Waikato farmers Bart and Vanessa van de Ven have battled through a couple of trying calving seasons but this year they've had time to 'cruise'.
The couple farm at Paeroa, on the edge of the Hauraki plains.
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Bart says brilliant weather has helped but he's also putting this year's smooth calving season down to meticulous planning in the dry season.
Action has been taken to ensure there is plenty of grass, calving kits were ready in case a cow needed help, an isolation pen was prepared for any sick calves, plans were put in place for when bad weather hit and cows were randomly blood tested to check they were in a fit state for calving.
And it just all came together, Bart says.
"Man, calving's enjoyable when everything sort of goes half right."
