increase font size
The report by DairyNZ and LIC shows the dairy sector’s resilience with production remaining stable despite tight and uncertain economic conditions.
OPINION: The latest New Zealand Dairy Statistics report paints a picture of an industry trending towards fewer but larger herds.
Farmers are focused on rearing high-producing cows with good milk quality. This is shown by record-high percentages of milkfat and protein in herd-tested cows, alongside the lowest-ever average somatic cell count of 161,000 cells/ml in the 2023-24 season.
The report by DairyNZ and LIC show the dairy sector’s resilience with production remaining stable despite tight and uncertain economic conditions.
In 2023-24 season, dairy companies processed 20.5 billion litres of milk containing 1.88 billion kgMS - compared with the previous season, this was a 0.8% (161 million litres) decrease in litres and a 0.5% (9 million kgMS) increase in kgMS processed. This reflects a greater proportion of milksolids in the milk processed.
Average milk production per cow across the country was 400kg of milksolids (made up of 225kg milkfat and 176kg protein). Average milksolids per effective hectare (1105kg) was near 2020/21 levels.
Cow numbers increased by 0.6% in 2023/24, reaching 4.70 million, though this is still 2% below the five-year average of 4.8 million. The average herd size increased and the number of herds decreased. There were 10,485 herds this season – 116 fewer than the previous season. The national average herd size was 448, which was seven cows more than the previous season.
The national herd composition has evolved, with a growing preference for crossbreed genetics. The proportion of Holstein- Friesian/Jersey Crossbreeds has increased significantly, from 34% in 2005/06 to 60% in 2023/24.
DairyNZ says structural and genetic trends underscore the resilience and adaptability of the New Zealand dairy sector, which clearly focuses on productivity, quality, and sustainable performance.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the industry-good organisation is proud to be an ongoing industry partner of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, providing judging expertise and facilitating field days.
The 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, Jo Sheridan, has paid tribute to women who apart from their farming connections are making contributions to their local schools and communities.
OPINION: Farmers won't get any credit for this from the daily media, so Milking It is giving the bouquets where they’re due.
There's been a positive response to the Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable.
After 20 years of milking cows, Northland farmer Greg Collins is ready to step into the governance side of dairy.
Federated Farmers says the farming sector has been unable to effectively address quad bike safety.
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
The 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, Jo Sheridan, has paid tribute to women who apart from their farming connections are making contributions to their local schools and communities.
Limping towards the end of the season is how Richard Walker describes the situation he's facing due to prolonged drought in coastal areas of Taranaki.
Auckland Federated Farmers want a national conference debate on whether New Zealand should withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the industry-good organisation is proud to be an ongoing industry partner of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, providing judging expertise and facilitating field days.
OPINION: On the 2nd of May, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the 'government remains on track to ban full…
OPINION: It's not happening as fast as the greenies would like - they actually want all livestock other than Muscovy…
