‘More Milk From Fewer Cows’ Trend Continues In A Record Year For NZ Dairy Industry

Kiwi dairy farmers hit a new high for milk production last season with fewer cows, showing that a focus on breeding higher performing cows is paying off. 
 

The annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report, released today by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), shows that total milk volume, total milksolids and per cow production were the highest on record in the 2020-21 season.

New Zealand has 4.9 million milking cows – down from 4.92 million the previous season, and they produced 1.95 billion kilograms of milksolids.

DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle says it is great to see a continuation of the “more milk from fewer cows” trend because it shows a continuing focus on milking better cows and farming even more sustainably.

“Farmers are focused on developing more productive and efficient cows and farming systems, with a lighter environmental footprint. They want to retain our unique pasture-based farming system and remain world leading.”

Favourable weather conditions also contributed to good grass growth, while higher milk prices meant many farmers extended their milking season in 2020/21.

The percentage of cows mated to artificial breeding rose to 71.3 per cent (up from 70.8 per cent in 2019/20), and the number of cows herd tested is the highest on record (3.735 million cows, or 76.2 per cent of the national herd). Herd testing enables farmers to monitor and improve the quality and productivity of their herds.

LIC Acting Chief Executive David Hazlehurst says the greater uptake of herd improvement services demonstrates farmers’ intent and focus on producing the most sustainable and efficient animals.

“Mating season has always been an important time to get cows in-calf but now with a focus on cow quality over quantity, more farmers are investing in premium genetics to help ensure their next generation of replacements are more efficient than the last.”

Hazlehurst says young, genomically-selected bulls and sexed semen, which generates female replacements from top cows, are examples of the high-impact tools farmers are adopting to increase the rate of genetic gain in their herds.

“It’s really pleasing to see these stats provide farmers with reassurance that the tools they’re investing in to increase their herd’s production efficiency and reduce their farm’s environmental footprint are working. Increasing milksolids with a reduced cow population is an achievement the whole sector should be proud of.”

Dr Tim Mackle says that dairy plays a really key role in New Zealand as the sector employs around 50,000 Kiwis and was estimated to contribute over $37 billion to the economy in 2020/21.

“The latest Dairy Statistics report shows that despite a range of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages, farmers are working hard to keep milk production flowing, and this benefits every Kiwi.”

Download theNew Zealand Dairy Statistics 2020-21 report here.

Key statistics from the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2020-21 report

• The dairy sector produced 21.7 billion litres of milk containing 1.947 billion kilograms of milksolids – a 2.6% (~560 million litres) increase in litres and a 2.7% (~51 million kg) increase in kilograms of milksolids processed compared with the previous season.
• Average milk production per cow was 397 kg of milksolids, a 3.1% increase from 385 kg last season and the highest on record.
• The total cow population was 4.9 million, a small decrease of 0.36% from the previous season.
• A total of 3.735 million cows were herd tested (76.2% of cows) – the highest on record.
• 3.497 million cows were mated to AB. The percentage of cows mated to AB was 71.3%, which was higher than the previous season (70.8%).
• 49.6% of cows are Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed, a 0.5% increase from the previous season. 32.5% of cows are Holstein-Friesian, 8.2% are Jersey cows, 0.4% are Ayrshire cow and 9.3% of cows are other breeds.
• The average dairy co-operative payout of $7.75 per kg milksolids was higher than the previous season ($7.20) and the second-highest average payout in the past 10 seasons.

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About NZ Dairy Statistics 

New Zealand Dairy Statistics is the census of the national dairy herd and each year provides the largest and most comprehensive range of statistical analyses on current, historic and emerging trends in the New Zealand dairy sector.

The report has been jointly produced by Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) and DairyNZ since 2006/7. Data is sourced from the LIC Herd Improvement Database, New Zealand dairy companies, Animal Evaluation database, TB Free New Zealand, Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, and Statistics New Zealand.

About LIC

LIC is a farmer-owned co-operative and world leader in pasture based dairy genetics and herd management. LIC exists to deliver superior genetics and technological innovation to help its shareholders sustainably farm a profitable animal.

About DairyNZ

DairyNZ is the industry organisation that represents all New Zealand dairy farmers. We support farmers through investing in research, resource development, extension, and advocacy to ensure they lead the world in sustainable dairy farming.

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