2024/25 Dairy Statistics: NZ dairy farmers boost production with fewer cows
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.
DAIRY FARMER cooperative, LIC, has bought the assets and business of Waikato-based Dairy Automation Limited (DAL).
DAL manufactures sensor technology for the real time (on farm) analysis of milk. The new ownership starts tomorrow (March 1) and the business will continue to be known as DAL. It will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of LIC (NZ) Ltd with the same staff and from the same location in Hamilton.
LIC chairman Murray King said while most dairy farmers rely on official herd testing to monitor the production performance of their herds "a number want to make more use of complementary services providing daily insight to the components of the milk their cows are producing – volume, fat, protein, mastitis etc.
"LIC is committed to pushing forward with new innovations that provide farmers with choice in the method of animal performance assessment on their farms, and the acquisition of DAL complements that choice."
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
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