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.
Two long-standing LIC farmer-elected directors are stepping down later this year.
South Island director Matt Ross and North Island director Dr Alison Watters are not seeking re-election at the end of their current term.
Ross was elected to the board in June 2017 and has had a long association with LIC and experience in leadership roles.
LIC chair Corrigan Sowman says Ross is a highly valued member of the LIC board who brings his knowledge and practical experience in farming excellence to the table.
“LIC has benefited greatly from Matt’s ability to understand both the very grass roots of our business as a previous AB technician through to advanced strategic
breeding decisions of today and what that means for creating value inside the farmgate for farmers,” says Sowman.
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Matt Ross |
Watters was elected to the board in June 2014 and has significant experience in directorship and dairy industry innovation.
Sowman says Watters’ passion for the New Zealand dairy industry and focus on its success is extremely beneficial for the LIC board.
“Alison contributes significantly to the dairy sector, both on farm and in many board rooms, therefore I reluctantly accepted her resignation from her elected director role.
“It’s never easy to lose long-standing directors, however, our team of directors bring a diverse and extensive range of knowledge to the board, and we look forward to welcoming new directors at the annual general meeting,” says Sowman.
Departing directors will remain on the board until LIC’s annual meeting on September 18 this year.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

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