Friday, 31 January 2020 14:25

Dry weather begins to bite milk production

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

In December 2019, the co-op collected 0.6% less milk than in December 2018.

Dry weather in some parts of the country is beginning to affect milk production, says Fonterra.

In December 2019, the co-op collected 184 million kgMS from farmer suppliers: 0.6% down for the same month in 2018, according to its monthly global dairy update.

Season to date collection was over 909m kgMS, 0.5% down on the previous season.

North Island milk collection in December was 106.4 million kgMS, down 2.5% on last December. Season to date collection was 564 million kgMS, down 0.4% on last season.

Fonterra says December weather had some impact on pasture quality in some northern regions, however grazing crops are doing well, and cow condition remain very good.

South Island milk collection in December was 77 million kgMS, up 2.2% on last December. Season to date collection was 345 million kgMS, down 0.6% on last season.

“Favorable weather conditions across Canterbury continued, allowing for excellent pasture growth rates,” it says.

Overall milk solids collection in NZ fared slightly better than Fonterra’s.

New Zealand milk production was down 0.5% on a litre basis (up 0.2% on a milk solids basis) in December compared to the same period in the prior year.

More like this

Fonterra to boost UHT cream production with $150m plant

With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

University of Waikato research reveals 2050 drought threats

New research could help farmers prepare for a future where summer rainfall is increasingly unpredictable and where drought risk is rising, no matter what.

Editorial: A new era for two co-ops

OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.

Should co-op sell its consumer brands?

OPINION: As CEO of the Dairy Board in the 1980s I was fortunate to work with a team of experienced and capable executives who made most of the brand investments that created the international consumer business Fonterra inherited. Soprole in Chile was the largest, but there were more than 20 countries where consumer marketing companies were established and Anchor and other brands were successfully launched.

Featured

Fonterra to boost UHT cream production with $150m plant

With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.

New scholarship to grow female leaders in dairy

A new $50,000 scholarship fund designed to support and empower women in the New Zealand dairy industry through leadership development has been launched.

High dairy payouts fuel record milk production across NZ

Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.

Owl Farm marks 10 years as NZ’s first demonstration dairy farm

In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.