increase font size
Despite a challenging 2021-22 season, the dairy sector appears to have responded well during a challenging time.
Despite a challenging 2021-22 season, the annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report shows an innovative dairy sector responding well during a changeable time.
Released last week by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation, the report shows that in the 2021-22 season, 20.78 billion litres of milk containing 1.87 billion kgMS was processed by dairy companies.
After reaching a record milk production per herd and per cow in the previous 2020/21 season, production dropped back to 2019/20 levels as the impacts of Covid-19, climatic conditions on farm, inflationary pressures and supply chain issues presented a challenging year for the industry.
The trend of declining cow and herd numbers continued and was accompanied by a 4.3% decrease in litres and 4.1% decrease in kilograms of milksolids processed, compared to the previous season.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle acknowledges that farmers' achievements in the face of a range of challenges in recent years is positive.
"Through tough times farmers continue to prove their resilience and stay focused on milking better and more efficient cows, by making the most of technology and information," says Mackle.
"Dairy farmers are proud to be world leading and work hard to retain their unique pasture-based farm system, as they keep milk production flowing and therefore creating real value for New Zealanders."
The season saw an increased uptake of herd improvement services, with record herd testing levels of 3.79 million cows. Artificial insemination remained steady at 3.94 million cows.
This continues the trend of New Zealand farmers remaining focused on improving the production efficiency of their herds, and utilising data and insights to support on-farm decisions.
LIC chief executive David Chin says New Zealand farmers responded well to the challenges of the 2021-22 season.
"Rising to challenges in a changing world is nothing new for our sector. Our farmers continue to invest in solutions that will support them to remain global dairy sector leaders.
"Record levels of herd testing uptake and strong investment in artificial breeding demonstrates a continued focus from farmers on herd improvement, to identify poor performing cows and to breed more efficient animals."
The average dairy co-operative payout from Fonterra and Tatua was $9.52/kgMS, which was a record average payout for farmers, while dairy exports reached a record $22 billion in 2021/22.
Key Statistics
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…
