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.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
The state-owned enterprise and LIC are set to deliver a new dairy-beef product to market in 2026, designed to benefit dairy farmers, calf rearers, beef finishers and processors.
The Synergizer brand brings together the very best of Stabilizer® and Charolais genetics, developed in collaboration with Pamu subsidiary Focus Genetics. The breeding programme focused on key traits including short gestation, ease of calving and rearing, strong growth and meat quality.
Mark Leslie Pamu chief executive says Synergizer represents the power of collaboration and the potential of New Zealand agriculture when we work together.
“By combining genetics expertise, farming knowledge, and a shared vision, we’re creating a solution that will deliver long-term benefits across the entire dairy-beef value chain and build resilience, productivity and sustainability for future generations of farmers."
LIC chief executive David Chin says the launch of Synergizer marks an important milestone in the co-operative’s dairy-beef journey.
“Synergizer is an exciting step forward for LIC as we continue to invest in dairy-beef genetics that give farmers confidence. Backed by world-class science, robust data and rigorous progeny testing, Synergizer has been developed to deliver a reliable, profitable and sustainable option for dairy-beef systems.”
The first frozen semen inseminations will be available in limited quantities from spring next year, with liquid insemination available from spring 2027.
More about Synergizer
Synergizer bulls have been developed to produce calves with the following characteristics:
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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