New associate director for DairyNZ
After 20 years of milking cows, Northland farmer Greg Collins is ready to step into the governance side of dairy.
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.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.