Tuesday, 13 October 2015 11:24

Dairy remains a national cash cow

Written by 

The dairy industry contributed 37% of the total value of New Zealand's primary industry exports in 2014-15.

Dairy earnings for the year totalled $13.2 billion.

This was revealed at DairyNZ's annual general meeting in Morrinsville this morning.

The industry employed 40,730 people during the year; 27,830 worked on farm and 12,900 in processing and wholesaling.

The total number of herds reached 11.970; average herd size was 419. Last year the industry had 5 million cows.

Waikato remains the dairy heartland with 34% of the herds.

The North Island had 74% of herds, producing 59% of total milksolids; the South Island 26% of herds but produced 41% of milksolids.

DairyNZ chairman John Luxton chaired his last meeting; he steps down today.

The new chairman will be elected by the board early next month.

More like this

Hawke's Bay to the world

Rockit chief executive Mark O'Donnell says consumer awareness for the brand continues to improve each year.

Editorial: On the mend

OPINION: DairyNZ's latest forecast data on the Econ Tracker, that the outlook for the current season has improved, will be welcome news for farmers.

Featured

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter