Thursday, 31 October 2013 10:47

Small is big in Taranaki

Written by 

TARANAKI IS now a billion dollar milk producer, thanks mostly to small, well-managed farms, says DairyNZ chairman John Luxton.

 

DairyNZ statistics show Taranaki now has 490,500 cows – 17% of the national herd, though the average herd size in the province is 283, well below the North Island average of 332. 

DairyNZ held its annual meeting in Taranaki recently, showcasing the success of dairy farming in the region.

Taranaki has many more smaller herds than are found in traditional dairying regions, but they are merging Luxton says. “And quite a lot of sheep country, particularly in South Taranaki down by Waverley, has been converted to dairying in recent times.”

Small dairy farming operations can monitor and manage more accurately than some larger operations Luxton says. But he notes there are also big farms in Taranaki doing extremely well.

Many young people are farming in the province, as shown by many entries in last year’s dairy awards. “Lots of good young bright people are coming into the sector… [many of them] new farmers with university degrees; that is also upping the ante in the sector.”

Milk production in Taranaki has been good this season; the province is a “star of the dairy sector,” Luxton says. Farmers there have improved their pasture management and overall herd management as reflected in positive statistics.

And the region’s dairy farmers have shown the way with responsible environmental stewardship. About $80 million has been spent on fencing and vegetation to protect waterways. The regional council reports that farmers have completed 2882km of new fencing and 1463km of riparian planting.    

More like this

Brendan Attrill scoops national award for sustainable farming

Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.

Taranaki dairy farms saved by $10/kgMS payout

Only this season’s $10/kgMS bumper payout has saved some dairy farms along the Taranaki coast from absolute disaster due to the present drought – dubbed as one of the worst ever for some.

Rain misses Taranaki region

The 'atmospheric river' of rain that swept down the country last week almost completely avoided one of the worst drought-affected regions in the country – coastal Taranaki.

Featured

Horticulture exports hit $8.4B, surge toward $10B by 2029

A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter