NZ Dairy Hits Record 2 Billion kgMS in 2025/26 Season

Record milksolids production last season reflects farmer focus on improving on-farm performance and producing high-quality milk, says DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker.

The latest New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2025/26 report, produced by DairyNZ and LIC, shows the sector produced 2.02 billion kgMS, up 4.5% on the previous season, from 21.8 billion litres of milk, up 3.5%.

The record also reflects a significant long-term improvement in milk composition.

Milksolids increased from 8.48% of milk in 2000/01 to 9.27% in 2025/26, making every litre more valuable to transport and process. At today’s milk volume, the 2000/01 solids percentage would have produced about 171 million fewer kgMS.

Parker says that surpassing 2b kgMS is a significant milestone for New Zealand dairy.

“It reflects the skill, investment and day-to-day management of farmers, alongside long-term gains in genetics, reproduction, animal health and farm systems,” says Parker.

“The figures show productivity and milk quality moving in the right direction. This matters for the competitiveness and resilience of farm businesses and the wider dairy sector.”

Meanwhile, the number of herds fell by 102 to 10,268, while overall cow numbers increased by just 1% to 4.72 million.

The report also shows strong farmer uptake of herd improvement tools. In 2025/26, 83.3% of cows and 78.7% of herds were herd tested – the highest proportions since the early 2000s.

Herd-tested cows achieved record results for milk volume, milkfat and protein yields, and milkfat and protein percentages. The national somatic cell count also fell to a record low of 149,000 cells/mL, indicating continued improvements in udder health and milk quality.

Artificial breeding reached its highest level in three decades, with 84.8% of cows mated through artificial breeding in 2025/26.

LIC chief executive David Chin says the results show farmers are recognising the value of data and superior genetics in understanding and improving herd performance.

“Record participation in herd testing and artificial breeding gives farmers more information and more options to accelerate genetic gain,” says Chin.

“The lift in reproductive performance is particularly encouraging. The six-week in-calf rate reached a record 70.2% across seasonal and split-calving herds, up from 63.5% in 2008. Strong fertility supports herd efficiency, while better-quality information helps farmers breed cows that are well suited to New Zealand’s pasture-based farming systems.”

2025/26 Season At A Glance

• Average milk production per cow was 428 kgMS, up from last year’s record 414kg.
• Cow numbers increased slightly by 1% to 4.72 million, while herd numbers fell to 10,268. The average herd size is 460 cows.
• A total of 3.94 million cows were herd tested (83.3% of cows and 78.7% of herds), its highest level since the early 2000s.
• Herd test production reached record levels, including 4999 litres and 452 kgMS per cow.
• Sixty percent of cows are Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Crossbreed.
• The average dairy payout was $10.44/kg MS, the second highest on record, although only slightly above the five-year average after adjusting for inflation.