Tuesday, 05 December 2017 14:55

Cow numbers fall, milk yield soars

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Cow numbers in NZ are dropping, but milk yield is up. Cow numbers in NZ are dropping, but milk yield is up.

Anti-dairying activists should be rejoicing: New Zealand’s milking herd has shrunk for the second year in a row.

But milk output continues to soar, according to the latest national dairy statistics.

NZ Dairy Statistics 2016-17 shows milking cow and herd numbers both fell: cows numbered 4.86 million, down again from 4.99m in 2015-16; herd numbers fell from 11,918 to 11,748 (-170 herds).

But over the 12 months to June 2017, the average dairy cow produced a record milk quantity containing record milk solids. The average production per cow was 4259L in the 2016-17 season, containing 381kgMS, versus 4185L and 372kgMS in 2015-16.

However, despite the decline in cow numbers dairy companies processed very similar milk quantities: 20.7 billion L containing 1.85b kgMS in 2016-17; the previous season saw 20.9b L (1.86b kgMS).

The results are positive for NZ and its farmers, says DairyNZ.

Senior economist Matthew Newman says the rising trend in per-cow milk production shows farmers are opting for animals that are year-on-year more efficient at converting grass into milk – the industry’s objective.

“We are producing similar milk quantities from fewer cows, partly because we are breeding better animals and feeding them well,” says Newman.

“The average herd is now 414 cows, down from 419 in 2015-16. We are now at the lowest level of cows milked since 2012; North Island cow numbers declined 90,000 to 2.89m, and South Island numbers fell 46,000 to 1.97m.”

LIC general manager NZ markets Malcolm Ellis says the statistics reflect a shift in the industry.

“Farmers are acknowledging that, as an industry, if they are not going to be milking more cows then they need to be milking better ones.

“The lower payout in previous seasons forced some farmers to reconsider their cow numbers as part of a wider farm system review, but these stats prove it can pay off for a farming business.

“It boils down to the fundamentals of herd improvement: creating high quality herd replacements that will out-perform their mothers in productivity, longevity and fertility.”

Quick facts

- The South Island now produces 43.4% of national milksolids versus 35.6% a decade ago

- Milk production in the South Island increased 1.2% in 2015-16, with increases in North Canterbury (+0.8%), Otago (+2.3%) and Southland (+4.9%)

- North Island milk production declined 1.9% in 2016-17, with all regions except Taupo (+2.2%), Taranaki (+0.9%) and Manawatu (no change) producing less milk than in 2015-16.

More like this

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter