New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13 New Zealand … Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13 5 2. National dairy statistics A. Industry statistics i) Production • 1.6% decrease in milksolids

New Zealand Dairy Statistics

2012-13

New

Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13

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Statistics

LIC

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New Zealand

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DairyNZ

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Hamilton 3240

New Zealand

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.dairynz.co.nz

New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13 1

Contents1. Introduction 4

2. National dairy statistics 5

A. Industry statistics 5

i) Production 5

ii) Population 6

B. Herd production statistics 8

i) Production per cow and per hectare 9

ii) Herd size distribution 11

3. Regional dairy statistics 13

A. Region 13

B. District 16

C. Operating structures 20

D. Breed breakdown 24

4. Herd improvement 25

A. Use of herd testing 25

B. Herd test averages 27

i) Seasonal averages 27

ii) Monthly averages 29

iii) Breed averages 31

C. Artificial Breeding (AB) statistics 33

D. Herd reproduction 38

E. Calving 41

i) Planned start of calving and median calving dates 41

ii) Calving interval 42

F. Animal Evaluation 43

5. Prices received 49

A. Milk prices 49

B. Dairy farm land prices 50

6. Disease control 51

A. Tuberculosis (Tb) control 51

Appendix 1: Farming regions and districts 52

New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-132

List of tables2.1 Summary of milk production statistics for the last 35 seasons 5

2.2 Summary of herd statistics since 1974/75 7

2.3 Summary of herd production for the last 35 seasons 8

2.4 Average production per cow by herd size in 2012/13 11

3.1 Herd analysis by region in 2012/13 14

3.2 Herd production analysis by region in 2012/13 15

3.3 Herd analysis by district in 2012/13 16

3.4 Herd production analysis by district in 2012/13 18

3.5 Herd analysis by operating structure in 2012/13 20

3.6 Herd production analysis by operating structure in 2012/13 21

3.7 Trend in the percentage of herds in each operating structure for the last 10 seasons 21

3.8 Trend in the number of herds in each operating structure for the last 10 seasons 21

3.9 Operating structure by region in 2012/13 22

3.10 Operating structure by herd size in 2012/13 23

4.1 Trend in the use of herd testing services for the last 20 seasons 25

4.2 Use of herd testing by region in 2012/13 26

4.3 Season herd test averages per cow by region in 2012/13 27

4.4 Trend in the national herd test averages for the last 20 seasons 28

4.5 Monthly herd test averages by region in 2012/13 29

4.6 Herd test breed averages by age of cow in 2012/13 31

4.7 Liveweight by age and breed of cow in 2012/13 32

4.8 Trend in Artificial Breeding use for the last nine seasons by region: Cows and yearlings to AB 33

4.9 Mean herd reproductive performance since 2008/09 38

4.10 Mean 6-week in-calf rate by farming region for the last three seasons 39

4.11 Actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13 39

4.12 Estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13 40

4.13 Mean calving interval by breed since 2000/01 42

4.14 Economic values used from 16 February 2013 43

4.15 Average Breeding Values and Breeding Worth of 2008-born bulls 44

4.16 Number of sires by birth year and breed 44

4.17 Herd Breeding Worth in 2012/13 45

4.18 Herd Production Worth in 2012/13 45

4.19 Cow Breeding Worth in 2012/13 46

4.20 Cow Production Worth in 2012/13 46

4.21 Average Breeding Worth and Breeding Values of all cows born in 2010 by breed 48

4.22 Survivability percentages since 1996/97 48

5.1 Trend in prices received for milksolids for the last 20 seasons 49

5.2 Trend in dairy land sale values since 2009/10 50

6.1 Tuberculosis (Tb) testing and results in 2012/13 51


List of graphs2.1 Trend in the number of herds and average herd size for the last 30 seasons 6

2.2 Milksolid production per cow and per effective hectare since 1992/93 9

2.3 Distribution of herds by milksolids production per cow for the last three seasons 10

2.4 Herd size distribution for 2012/13 compared with 2007/08 12

3.1 Regional distribution of dairy cows in 2012/13 13

3.2 Breed percentages of cows for New Zealand in 2012/13 24

3.3 Breed percentages of cows by region in 2012/13 24

4.1 Trend in the percentage of herds testing for the last 30 seasons 26

4.2 Average milkfat and protein production per cow by region in 2012/13 28

4.3 Liveweight by age and breed of cow in 2012/13 32

4.4 Trend in the percentage of cows to Artificial Breeding for the last 30 seasons 34

4.5 Average number of inseminations per cow for the last 20 seasons 35

4.6 Ayrshire semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last five seasons 35

4.7 Crossbreed semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last five seasons 36

4.8 Jersey semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last five seasons 36

4.9 Holstein-Friesian semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last five seasons 36

4.10 Trend in the percentage of inseminations of each major breed for the last 40 seasons 37

4.11 Mean actual and estimated 6-week in-calf rate since 2008/09 38

4.12 Distribution of actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13 39

4.13 Distribution of estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13 40

4.14 Planned start of calving and median calving dates for cows (excluding first calvers) by region 41

4.15 Trend in planned start of calving dates for cows (excluding first calvers) by region 42

4.16 Genetic trend of proven dairy bulls by year of birth 44

4.17 Distribution of Herd Breeding Worth in 2012/13 45

4.18 Distribution of Herd Production Worth in 2012/13 45

4.19 Distribution of Cow Breeding Worth in 2012/13 46

4.20 Distribution of Cow Production Worth in 2012/13 46

4.21 Trend in Breeding Worth for all cows 47

4.22 Trend in Production Worth for all cows 47

5.1 Trend in milksolids payout to dairy farmers for the last 30 seasons 50


1. Introduction

The purpose of New Zealand Dairy Statistics is to provide statistical information related to the New Zealand Dairy Industry. Funding is provided

by Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) and DairyNZ Incorporated (dairy farmer levy). Contributors include New Zealand Animal Evaluation

Limited.

Data are sourced from the LIC National Database, dairy companies, Animal Evaluation database, Animal Health Board Annual Report (year

ending 30 June 2013), Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, and Statistics New Zealand.

New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012/13 is a report that shows historical information up to and including the 2012/13 season. Data for previous

years were released under Dairy Statistics from 1998, Annual Report (Livestock Improvement Division) in 1987/88, Livestock Improvement

Report from 1984/85 to 1986/87, and New Zealand Dairy Board Farm Production Report up to 1983/84.

Prior to 1991/92 the information for the Dairy Statistics publication was obtained primarily from the analysis of the New Zealand Dairy Industry

Cow Census (an annual survey of all dairy farmers). The 1991/92 Dairy Statistics publication was a transition year for which only minimal data

was available.

As of March 2002, LIC became a user-owned co-operative, with responsibility for farm production activities and, in particular, dairy herd

improvement and herd records.

LIC’s activities can broadly be described as genetics, information and advice. Services provided to farmers include farm management

information, herd testing and artificial breeding services, DNA analysis, a farm advisory service, research to improve farm profitability, statistical

information related to the New Zealand dairy industry, and herd recording on the LIC Database.

DairyNZ is the industry organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. We are funded by farmers through a levy on milksolids. Our

purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. For more information, visit

www.dairynz.co.nz


2. National dairy statistics

A. Industry statistics

i) Production

• 1.6% decrease in milksolids processed

In 2012/13, dairy companies processed 18.9 billion litres of milk containing 1.66 billion kilograms of milksolids (Table 2.1). Total milksolids

processed decreased by 1.6% from the record 1.69 billion kilograms processed in the previous season. This was the first decrease in milk

production since 2007/08, and resulted from widespread summer/autumn drought.

Table 2.1: Summary of milk production statistics for the last 35 seasonsSeason Milk processed

(million litres)Milkfat processed

(million kgs)Protein processed

(million kgs)Milksolids processed

(million kgs)

1978/79 5,655 274 203 477

1979/80 5,997 291 215 506

1980/81 5,868 282 209 491

1981/82 5,979 282 209 491

1982/83 6,096 290 214 505

1983/84 6,733 324 239 564

1984/85 6,965 332 245 578

1985/86 7,326 350 257 609

1986/87 6,385 301 222 524

1987/88 6,921 333 245 579

1988/89 6,533 311 237 541

1989/90 6,868 330 242 572

1990/91 7,077 343 254 599

1991/92 7,454 365 270 637

1992/93 7,629 373 277 651

1993/94 8,603 423 313 736

1994/95 8,633 422 311 733

1995/96 9,325 452 335 788

1996/97 10,339 506 375 880

1997/98 10,651 513 378 891

1998/99 10,563 503 377 880

1999/00 11,630 560 421 981

2000/01 12,925 626 470 1,096

2001/02 13,607 657 495 1,152

2002/03 13,906 676 515 1,191

2003/04 14,599 716 538 1,254

2004/05 14,103 694 519 1,213

2005/06 14,702 724 543 1,267

2006/07 15,134 750 566 1,316

2007/08 14,745 722 548 1,270

2008/09 16,044 791 602 1,393

2009/10 16,483 817 622 1,438

2010/11 17,339 859 654 1,513

2011/12 19,129 954 731 1,685

2012/13 18,883 939 719 1,658

Note: Prior to 1998/99, Table 2.1 consisted of milk production statistics that were processed into export products (i.e., town milk supply was excluded). These statistics on milk, milkfat, protein and milksolids processed were provided by the New Zealand Dairy Board and are no longer available. Consequently, totals from 1998/99 include all milk processed by New Zealand dairy companies, including milk for the domestic market.


ii) Population

• Small increase in the number of herds

• Cow numbers increase by 150,000 to 4.78 million cows

• Average herd size exceeds 400 cows

Between 1980/81 and 2007/08 total herd numbers declined at an average rate of about 170 herds per season (Graph 2.1). However, the total

number of herds in the 2012/13 season increased by 93 to 11,891. This was the fifth consecutive season of small increases in herd numbers.

The average herd size was 402 in 2012/13, up 9 cows on the previous season. The average herd size has tripled in the last 30 seasons, and has

increased by 117 cows in the last 10 seasons. Expansion of the dairy herd in the South Island has assisted the increase in average herd sizes.

Graph 2.1: Trend in the number of herds and average herd size for the last 30 seasons

17,000

16,500

16,000

15,500

15,000

14,500

14,000

13,500

13,000

12,500

12,000

11,500

11,000

10,500

10,000

1982

/83

1983

/84

1984

/85

1985

/86

1986

/87

1987

/88

1988

/89

1989

/90

1990

/91

1991

/92

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

440

420

400

380

360

340

320

300

280

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

Season

Num

ber o

f her

ds

Her

d si

ze

Number of herds Average herd size


The total cow population in the 2012/13 season was 4.78 million (Table 2.2), an increase of 3.2% over the previous season. Average effective

hectares is steady at 141 hectares. A stocking rate of 2.85 cows per hectare was similar to the previous season (2.83). Total effective hectares

(runoff excluded) were 1.68 million – an increase of about 40,000 ha on the previous season.

Table 2.2: Summary of herd statistics since 1974/75

Season Herds Total cows Total effective hectaresa

Average herd size Average effective hectaresb

Average cows per hectareb

1974/75 18,540 2,079,886 - 112 - -

1975/76 18,442 2,091,950 - 113 - -

1976/77 17,924 2,074,443 - 116 - -

1977/78 17,363 2,052,624 - 118 - -

1978/79 16,907 2,039,902 - 121 - -

1979/80 16,506 2,045,808 - 124 - -

1980/81 16,089 2,027,096 - 126 - -

1981/82 15,821 2,060,898 996,723 130 63 2.07

1982/83 15,816 2,128,199 1,012,224 135 64 2.10

1983/84 15,932 2,209,725 1,035,580 139 65 2.13

1984/85 15,881 2,280,273 1,016,384 144 64 2.24

1985/86 15,753 2,321,012 1,008,192 147 64 2.30

1986/87 15,315 2,281,849 995,475 149 65 2.29

1987/88 14,818 2,236,290 963,170 151 65 2.32

1988/89 14,744 2,269,073 973,104 154 66 2.33

1989/90 14,595 2,313,822 977,865 159 67 2.37

1990/91 14,685 2,402,145 1,023,545 164 70 2.35

1991/92 14,452 2,438,641 - 169 - -

1992/93 14,458 2,603,049 1,069,892 180 74 2.43

1993/94 14,597 2,736,452 1,122,509 188 77 2.44

1994/95 14,649 2,830,977 1,175,940 193 80 2.41

1995/96 14,736 2,935,759 1,208,352 199 82 2.43

1996/97 14,741 3,064,523 1,267,726 208 86 2.42

1997/98 14,673 3,222,591 1,276,551 220 87 2.52

1998/99 14,362 3,289,319 1,306,942 229 91 2.52

1999/00 13,861 3,269,362 1,292,566 236 93 2.53

2000/01 13,892 3,485,883 1,329,173 251 96 2.62

2001/02 13,649 3,692,703 1,404,930 271 103 2.63

2002/03 13,140 3,740,637 1,463,281 285 111 2.56

2003/04 12,751 3,851,302 1,421,147 302 111 2.71

2004/05 12,271 3,867,659 1,411,594 315 115 2.74

2005/06 11,883 3,832,145 1,398,966 322 118 2.74

2006/07 11,630 3,916,812 1,412,925 337 121 2.77

2007/08 11,436 4,012,867 1,436,549 351 126 2.79

2008/09 11,618 4,252,881 1,519,117 366 131 2.80

2009/10 11,691 4,396,675 1,563,495 376 134 2.81

2010/11 11,735 4,528,736 1,638,706 386 140 2.76

2011/12 11,798 4,634,226 1,638,546 393 139 2.83

2012/13 11,891 4,784,250 1,677,395 402 141 2.85

- Not availablea Total effective hectares between 1981/82 and 1999/00 are estimates.b Average effective hectares and average cows per hectare for 1981/82 to 1990/91 are based on factory supply herds only.Note: The number of cows used to calculate the average herd size since 1992/93 includes all cows lactating in that season, whereas in earlier years the number of cows used to produce the average herd size was based only on those cows lactating on 31 December. This change in method has had a small effect on reported cow numbers. In 2009/10 a change was made to the way the average cows per hectare was calculated. This change is now reflected in all seasons reported.


B. Herd production statistics

• Milk production down on last season

Herd production has increased most years since 1992/93 (Table 2.3). Exceptions were evident in 1998/99 and 2007/08, when production

dropped markedly due to drought conditions. Similarly, the average milksolids per effective hectare of 989 kg in 2012/13 was down compared

with the previous season (1,028 kg). Production per cow decreased by 4.9% in 2012/13 to an average of 346 kg milksolids (comprising 196 kg

milkfat and 150 kg protein). Milk production was up in all regions prior to Christmas, but a severe drought in the North Island reduced milk

production and many herds were forced to dry off early.

Table 2.3: Summary of herd production for the last 35 seasons

Season Average litres per

herd

Average kg milkfat per

herd

Average kg protein per

herd

Average kg milksolids

per herd


effective hectare


effective hectare


per effective hectare

Average litres per

cow


cow


cow


per cow

1978/79a - 17,500 - - - - - - 142 - -

1979/80a - 19,000 - - - - - - 151 - -

1980/81a - 18,864 - - - - - - 147 - -

1981/82a - 19,090 - - 310 - - - 144 - -

1982/83a - 19,600 - - 312 - - - 143 - -

1983/84a - 21,618 - - 345 - - - 154 - -

1984/85a - 22,190 - - 359 - - - 152 - -

1985/86a - 23,489 - - 379 - - - 157 - -

1986/87a - 20,885 - - 331 - - - 138 - -

1987/88a - 23,500 - - 374 - - - 154 - -

1988/89a - 22,442 - - 340 - - - 143 - -

1989/90a - 23,578 - - 352 - - - 147 - -

1990/91a - 24,495 - - 351 - - - 148 - -

1991/92b - 26,567 - - - - - - 157 - -

1992/93 554,040 26,982 20,138 47,120 374 279 653 - 148 111 259

1993/94 618,139 30,220 22,458 52,678 407 301 708 - 160 119 278

1994/95 614,203 29,886 22,117 52,002 386 285 671 - 156 115 271

1995/96 663,248 32,050 23,827 55,877 405 300 705 - 163 120 283

1996/97 728,874 35,436 26,387 61,823 425 316 741 - 173 128 301

1997/98 752,399 36,383 26,984 63,367 430 318 748 - 168 124 292

1998/99 735,544 35,047 26,254 61,301 392 292 684 - 147 109 256

1999/00 839,066 40,365 30,396 70,761 439 329 768 - 165 123 288

2000/01 930,047 45,063 33,850 78,914 472 353 825 - 177 133 310

2001/02 996,904 48,137 36,300 84,436 471 353 824 - 175 132 307

2002/03 1,058,307 51,447 39,174 90,621 471 357 828 - 179 136 315

2003/04 1,144,938 56,150 42,171 98,321 509 380 889 3,737 184 138 322

2004/05 1,149,262 56,520 42,305 98,825 494 368 862 3,574 176 132 308

2005/06 1,237,228 60,955 45,705 106,660 520 387 907 3,763 186 139 325

2006/07 1,301,308 64,495 48,687 113,182 534 400 934 3,791 189 142 330

2007/08 1,289,337 63,158 47,876 111,033 498 375 873 3,567 175 132 307

2008/09 1,381,573 68,116 51,850 119,966 524 396 921 3,710 184 139 323

2009/10 1,409,875 69,859 53,184 123,043 519 392 912 3,642 181 137 318

2010/11 1,477,531 73,184 55,762 128,946 524 399 923 3,829 190 144 334

2011/12 1,621,344 80,875 61,936 142,811 582 446 1,028 4,128 206 158 364

2012/13 1,587,980 78,948 60,462 139,410 560 429 988 3,947 196 150 346

- Not availablea Figures prior to 1991/92 exclude town milk herdsb 1991/92 figures include some town milk herds


i) Production per cow and per hectare

Average milksolids per cow in 2012/13 was 346 kg, compared with last season’s record 364 kg (Graph 2.2). Average milk production per

hectare was 989 kg – below last season’s 1,028 kg. Variations from season to season are masked by the considerable effect of the weather on

each season’s actual production. For example, widespread drought in 2007/08 caused milk production to decline while in 2011/12 favourable

pasture growth conditions throughout the season enabled record milk production.

Graph 2.2: Milksolid production per cow and per effective hectare since 1992/93

400

360

320

280

240

200

1,200

1,100

1,000

900

800

700

600

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

Ave

rage

kg

milk

solid

s pe

r cow

Ave

rage

kg

milk

solid

s pe

r eff

ectiv

e he

ctar

e

Season

Average kg milksolids per cow Average kg milksolids per effective hectare


Average production per cow varies considerably from farm to farm. This variation is caused by many factors, including temperature, rainfall,

soil fertility, stocking rate, the genetic merit of the herd, level of supplementary feed and farm management practice. Graph 2.3 shows the

distribution of milksolids production in 2012/13 compared with the previous two seasons. The distribution of milksolids production for 2012/13

was similar to 2010/11. Twenty-one per cent of the herds had an average production of over 400 kilograms milksolids per cow, compared with

28% the previous season.

Graph 2.3: Distribution of herds by milksolids production per cow for the last three seasons

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

<150

150-

174

175-

199

200-

224

225-

249

250-

274

275-

299

300-

324

325-

349

350-

374

375-

399

400-

424

425-

449

450-

474

475-

-499

500+

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Average kg milksolids per cow

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13


ii) Herd size distribution

• 11% of herds have 750 or more cows

A little over fifty percent (6,373) of herds have between 100 and 349 cows (Table 2.4). In 2012/13, 3,128 (26%) had 500 or more cows, 1,268

(11%) had 750 or more cows, and 548 (5%) had 1,000 cows or more. A decade ago (2002/03) only 32% of herds had 300 or more cows and

10% had 500 or more cows. Averages of milkfat, protein and milksolids per cow, by herd size, are also included in Table 2.4.

Aside from the 12 herds with fewer than 50 animals, the average milksolids per cow varies between 229 kg (herds with 50-99 cows) and 373

kg (herds with 900-949 cows).

Table 2.4: Average production per cow by herd size in 2012/13

Herd size Number of herds Percentage of herds

Number of cows Percentage of cows

Average kg milkfat per cow

Average kg protein per cow

Average kg milksolids per cow

10-49 12 0.1 393 0.0 259 194 453

50-99 244 2.1 19,567 0.4 130 99 229

100-149 772 6.5 96,089 2.0 171 130 301

150-199 1,399 11.8 240,657 5.0 183 138 321

200-249 1,729 14.5 381,528 8.0 189 142 331

250-299 1,261 10.6 339,489 7.1 193 146 339

300-349 1,212 10.2 386,586 8.1 192 145 338

350-399 779 6.6 286,681 6.0 195 148 343

400-449 781 6.6 325,926 6.8 199 151 351

450-499 574 4.8 268,660 5.6 201 152 353

500-549 543 4.6 280,245 5.9 201 154 355

550-599 420 3.5 238,451 5.0 206 158 364

600-649 392 3.3 240,962 5.0 208 160 368

650-699 270 2.3 179,709 3.8 205 158 363

700-749 235 2.0 167,848 3.5 210 162 372

750-799 197 1.7 151,018 3.2 209 162 371

800-849 192 1.6 156,259 3.3 210 162 372

850-899 132 1.1 114,046 2.4 207 160 366

900-949 116 1.0 105,781 2.2 210 163 373

950-999 83 0.7 80,016 1.7 203 158 360

1000-1099 157 1.3 161,733 3.4 202 157 360

1100-1199 107 0.9 120,591 2.5 200 155 355

1200-1499 168 1.4 217,480 4.5 195 153 348

1500+ 116 1.0 224,535 4.7 160 126 285

Total/Avg 11,891 4,784,250 196 150 346


The herd size distribution presented in Graph 2.4 shows an increase in larger herds (400+ cows) and a decrease in herds with fewer than 350

cows since 2007/08. The most common herd size remains in the range 200 to 249 cows (comprising 14.5% of herds, compared with 16.3%

in 2007/08).

Graph 2.4: Herd size distribution for 2012/13 compared with 2007/08

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

10-4

9

50-9

9

100-

149

150-

199

200-

249

250-

299

300-

349

350-

399

400-

449

450-

499

500-

549

550-

599

600-

649

650-

699

700-

749

750-

799

800-

849

850-

899

900-

949

950-

999

1000

-109

9

1100

-119

9

1200

-149

9

1500

+

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Herd size

2007/08 2012/13


3. Regional dairy statistics

A. Region

• 75% of dairy herds located in North Island

• 62% of dairy cows located in the North Island

The majority of dairy herds (75%) are located in the North Island, with the greatest concentration (30%) situated in the Waikato region.

Taranaki, with 15% of dairy herds, is the next largest region on a herd basis.

Although South Island dairy herds account for 25% of the national total, they contain 38% of all cows (Graph 3.1). Twenty-four per cent of all

dairy cows are located in the Waikato region, followed by North Canterbury (13%), Southland (11%) and Taranaki (10%).

Graph 3.1: Regional distribution of dairy cows in 2012/13

Northland

6.0%

Nelson/Marlborough

1.8%

Otago

5.0%

North Canterbury

12.7%

West Coast

3.1%

Manawatu

4.5%

Taranaki

10.3%

Western Uplands

0.9%

Waikato

24.0%

Auckland

2.3%Bay of Plenty

4.0%

Central Plateau

5.2%Hawkes Bay

1.0%

Wairarapa

3.5%

South Canterbury

4.6%

Southland

11.1%

East Coast

0.1%North Island

61.8%

South Island

38.2%


• More than 1.8 million cows in the South Island

• Largest average herd size (791) in North Canterbury

• South Island average herd sizes increasing faster than North Island

Farms in the South Island are, on average, larger than those in the North Island (in terms of both farm area and cow numbers, see Table 3.1).

Sixty-two percent of all cows are in the North Island, with 24% in the Waikato region. The average herd size in both islands continues to

increase. Within the South Island, North Canterbury has the largest average herd size (791 cows). In the North Island, Hawkes Bay has the

largest average herd size of 673 cows. The smallest average herd sizes are in Auckland, Taranaki, and Northland, averaging 260, 283 and 306

cows respectively. North Canterbury has the highest average cows per hectare (3.49), followed closely by South Canterbury (3.45). The regions

with the lowest average cows per hectare are the West Coast (2.16), Northland (2.29) and Auckland (2.30).

Table 3.1: Herd analysis by region in 2012/13

Farming region Total herds Percentage of herds

Total cows Percentage of cows

Total effective hectares

Percentage of effective

hectares

Average herd size

Average effective hectares

Average cows per

hectare

Northland 935 7.9 285,956 6.0 124,747 7.4 306 133 2.29

Auckland 431 3.6 111,976 2.3 48,655 2.9 260 113 2.30

Waikato 3,554 29.9 1,148,553 24.0 390,211 23.3 323 110 2.94

Bay of Plenty 598 5.0 192,877 4.0 68,853 4.1 323 115 2.80

Central Plateau 470 4.0 247,046 5.2 90,757 5.4 526 193 2.72

Western Uplands 86 0.7 42,106 0.9 16,861 1.0 490 196 2.50

East Coast 9 0.1 4,899 0.1 1,846 0.1 544 205 2.65

Hawkes Bay 71 0.6 47,781 1.0 16,870 1.0 673 238 2.83

Taranaki 1,734 14.6 490,528 10.3 172,571 10.3 283 100 2.84

Manawatu 559 4.7 214,710 4.5 77,654 4.6 384 139 2.76

Wairarapa 465 3.9 168,570 3.5 60,757 3.6 363 131 2.77

North Island 8,912 74.9 2,955,002 61.8 1,069,782 63.8 332 120 2.76

Nelson/Marlborough 237 2.0 86,203 1.8 30,338 1.8 364 128 2.84

West Coast 371 3.1 147,660 3.1 68,399 4.1 398 184 2.16

North Canterbury 768 6.5 607,811 12.7 174,308 10.4 791 227 3.49

South Canterbury 278 2.3 218,514 4.6 63,360 3.8 786 228 3.45

Otago 396 3.3 236,981 5.0 76,886 4.6 598 194 3.08

Southland 929 7.8 532,079 11.1 194,322 11.6 573 209 2.74

South Island 2,979 25.1 1,829,248 38.2 607,613 36.2 614 204 3.01

New Zealand 11,891 4,784,250 1,677,395 402 141 2.85


• Highest average production recorded in North Canterbury

South Island farms have, on average, higher per herd production than herds in the North Island, with North Canterbury recording the highest

average herd production at 309,244 kilograms of milksolids (Table 3.2). This reflects a combination of larger herd sizes, a high stocking rate,

and high kilograms of milksolids per cow. In the North Island, Hawkes Bay recorded the highest average herd production of 209,803 kilograms

of milksolids, reflecting large herd sizes.

In 2012/13, average production per effective hectare and production per cow was higher in the South Island than in the North Island. North

Canterbury recorded the highest average milksolids per hectare in the South Island (1,363 kg), while Manawatu had the highest average

milksolids production per hectare in the North Island (996 kg).

North Canterbury also had the highest average milksolids per cow (391 kg), followed by Southland (384 kg). In the North Island, Manawatu

had the highest average milksolids per cow (360 kg), followed by Taranaki (344 kg) and Wairarapa (338 kg).

Table 3.2: Herd production analysis by region in 2012/13

Farming region Total kg milksolids

Percent milk-solids

Average litres per

herd


herd


herd


per herd


effective hectare


effective hectare




cow


cow


per cow

Northland 80,518,080 4.9 1,001,423 49,066 37,050 86,116 368 278 645 160 121 282

Auckland 35,027,882 2.1 950,740 46,189 35,082 81,271 409 311 720 178 135 313

Waikato 378,529,678 22.8 1,219,447 60,786 45,722 106,508 554 416 970 188 141 330

Bay of Plenty 63,247,399 3.8 1,231,464 60,169 45,596 105,765 523 396 919 187 141 328

Central Plateau 79,149,649 4.8 1,943,868 96,269 72,134 168,404 499 374 872 183 137 320

Western Uplands 11,569,193 0.7 1,526,791 76,788 57,738 134,525 392 294 686 157 118 275

East Coast 1,253,113 0.1 1,659,168 78,985 60,249 139,235 385 294 679 145 111 256

Hawkes Bay 14,896,001 0.9 2,454,940 117,853 91,950 209,803 496 387 883 175 137 312

Taranaki 168,611,878 10.2 1,068,051 55,678 41,561 97,239 559 418 977 197 147 344

Manawatu 77,311,849 4.7 1,616,790 77,800 60,504 138,304 560 436 996 203 158 360

Wairarapa 56,932,042 3.4 1,386,543 69,487 52,948 122,434 532 405 937 192 146 338

North Island 967,046,764 58.3 1,240,026 61,835 46,676 108,511 515 389 904 186 141 327

Nelson/Marlborough 29,835,366 1.8 1,401,507 71,860 54,028 125,888 561 422 983 198 149 346

West Coast 48,991,932 3.0 1,432,445 75,897 56,156 132,054 412 305 716 191 141 332

North Canterbury 237,499,124 14.3 3,533,797 172,828 136,416 309,244 761 601 1,363 218 172 391

South Canterbury 83,460,485 5.0 3,436,620 167,765 132,453 300,218 736 581 1,317 213 169 382

Otago 86,639,796 5.2 2,508,960 122,574 96,214 218,787 631 496 1,127 205 161 366

Southland 204,248,847 12.3 2,481,241 123,353 96,505 219,859 590 461 1,051 215 168 384

South Island 690,675,550 41.7 2,628,920 130,142 101,706 231,848 638 499 1,137 212 166 378

New Zealand 1,657,722,313 100.0 1,587,980 78,948 60,462 139,410 560 429 988 196 150 346


B. DistrictSouth Taranaki continues to be the district with the most herds (1,038) followed by Matamata-Piako (1,000). The Southland district has the

most cows (400,376), followed by South Taranaki (315,300) (Table 3.3). Hurunui in North Canterbury has the highest average herd size with

885 cows. The next largest is Ashburton, also in North Canterbury, with 875 cows. The number of owner-operators and sharemilkers is

included in Table 3.3. Sixty-five per cent of herds are run as owner-operators, while the remainder are run as sharemilkers of various types

(Table 3.5)

Table 3.3: Herd analysis by district in 2012/13

Region District Total herds Number of owner-

operators

Number of share-milkers

Total cows Total effective hectares

Average herd size


Average cows per

hectare

Northland Far North 261 198 62 75,727 33,467 290 128 2.26

Whangarei 316 224 87 102,332 42,515 324 135 2.41

Kaipara 358 271 87 107,897 48,765 301 136 2.21

Auckland Rodney 163 108 55 43,458 19,171 267 118 2.27

Manukau / Papakura City 17 9 8 3,722 1,414 219 83 2.63

Franklin 251 152 97 64,796 28,070 258 112 2.31

Waikato Waikato 686 439 246 223,998 79,829 327 116 2.81

Hamilton City 17 9 8 4,896 1,641 288 97 2.98

Waipa 580 371 209 198,360 65,097 342 112 3.05

Otorohanga 383 238 145 138,216 48,028 361 125 2.88

Thames-Coromandel 93 60 33 26,108 10,025 281 108 2.60

Hauraki 413 274 139 115,287 42,078 279 102 2.74

Matamata-Piako 1,000 576 424 295,550 94,374 296 94 3.13

South Waikato 382 237 145 146,138 49,139 383 129 2.97

Bay of Plenty Western Bay of Plenty 198 135 62 67,600 23,511 341 119 2.88

Tauranga 15 10 5 4,534 1,574 302 105 2.88

Kawerau/Whakatane 309 220 88 96,811 35,111 313 114 2.76

Opotiki 76 43 33 23,932 8,657 315 114 2.76

Central Plateau Taupo 152 103 49 108,516 40,254 714 265 2.70

Rotorua 318 200 118 138,530 50,503 436 159 2.74

Western Uplands Waitomo 59 43 16 30,125 12,317 511 209 2.45

Ruapehu 27 15 12 11,981 4,544 444 168 2.64

East Coast Gisborne / Wairoa 9 8 1 4,899 1,846 544 205 2.65

Hawkes Bay Napier / Hastings 31 27 4 19,407 6,868 626 222 2.83

Central Hawkes Bay 40 32 8 28,374 10,002 709 250 2.84

Taranaki New Plymouth 444 277 167 113,492 42,931 256 97 2.64

Stratford 252 167 85 61,736 22,831 245 91 2.70

South Taranaki 1,038 573 465 315,300 106,809 304 103 2.95

Manawatu Wanganui 21 15 6 7,543 2,972 359 142 2.54

Rangitikei 94 71 23 42,271 14,921 450 159 2.83

Manawatu 256 181 75 95,634 34,608 374 135 2.76

Palmerston North City 47 34 12 17,366 6,500 369 138 2.67

Horowhenua 120 91 29 45,866 16,243 382 135 2.82

Kapiti Coast / Upper Hutt 21 15 6 6,030 2,410 287 115 2.50

Wairarapa Tararua 307 207 100 100,306 36,736 327 120 2.73

Masterton 18 9 9 8,517 2,797 473 155 3.05

Carterton 57 44 13 21,453 7,925 376 139 2.71

South Wairarapa 83 56 27 38,294 13,299 461 160 2.88

North Island 8,912 5,742 3,158 2,955,002 1,069,782 332 120 2.76


(Table 3.3 continued)

Region District Total herds Number of owner-

operators

Number of share-milkers

Total cows Total effective hectares

Average herd size


Average cows per

hectare

Nelson/Marlborough Marlborough 60 49 10 18,186 6,263 303 104 2.90

Kaikoura 24 16 8 10,280 3,522 428 147 2.92

Tasman / Nelson City 153 127 26 57,737 20,553 377 134 2.81

West Coast Buller 128 105 23 47,846 22,013 374 172 2.17

Grey 85 58 27 40,321 17,798 474 209 2.27

Westland 158 118 40 59,493 28,588 377 181 2.08

North Canterbury Hurunui 78 55 23 69,055 18,767 885 241 3.68

Waimakariri 99 71 28 58,820 16,933 594 171 3.47

Christchurch City 16 9 7 12,092 3,740 756 234 3.23

Banks Peninsula 7 4 3 1,988 863 284 123 2.30

Selwyn 212 164 48 154,264 47,173 728 223 3.27

Ashburton 356 228 128 311,592 86,832 875 244 3.59

South Canterbury Timaru 149 97 49 109,975 31,053 738 208 3.54

MacKenzie 16 12 4 13,364 4,303 835 269 3.11

Waimate 113 56 51 95,175 28,004 842 248 3.40

Otago Waitaki 127 51 76 95,935 26,651 755 210 3.60

Dunedin City 64 33 31 26,497 9,420 414 147 2.81

Clutha 184 107 69 98,466 35,494 535 193 2.77

Central Otago 21 12 8 16,083 5,321 766 253 3.02

Southland Gore 158 98 59 90,015 33,330 570 211 2.70

Invercargill 75 49 26 41,688 14,983 556 200 2.78

Southland 696 419 277 400,376 146,009 575 210 2.74

South Island 2,979 1,938 1,021 1,829,248 607,613 614 204 3.01

New Zealand 11,891 7,679 4,180 4,784,250 1,677,395 402 141 2.85

Note: Districts with fewer than four herds have been added to a neighbouring district to preserve anonymity


Ashburton had the highest average production per herd with 347,631 kilograms of milksolids, as well as the highest average kilograms of

milksolids per effective hectare (1,425) (Table 3.4). MacKenzie district recorded the highest production per cow (403 kg of milksolids). The

North Island district that has the highest milksolids production per herd is Central Hawkes Bay with an average of 235,640 kilograms of

milksolids. On a per-hectare basis Masterton produced the highest average kilograms of milksolids (1,159). Masterton also produced the

highest average kilograms of milksolids per cow (381).

Table 3.4: Herd production analysis by district in 2012/13

Region District Average litres per

herd


herd


herd


per herd


effective hectare


effective hectare




cow


cow


per cow

Northland Far North 943,806 45,629 34,794 80,423 356 271 627 157 120 277

Whangarei 1,071,967 53,560 39,951 93,511 398 297 695 165 123 289

Kaipara 981,161 47,605 36,133 83,738 349 265 615 158 120 278

Auckland Rodney / Auck. City 901,097 44,739 33,508 78,247 380 285 665 168 126 293

Manukau City / Papakura 755,856 35,442 27,228 62,670 426 327 753 162 124 286

Franklin 996,177 47,859 36,636 84,495 428 328 756 185 142 327

Waikato Waikato 1,202,386 59,093 44,584 103,676 508 383 891 181 137 318

Hamilton City 1,105,798 54,408 41,281 95,689 564 428 991 189 143 332

Waipa 1,312,110 65,681 49,277 114,958 585 439 1,024 192 144 336

Otorohanga 1,316,239 66,058 49,479 115,537 527 395 921 183 137 320

Thames-Coromandel 973,510 48,276 36,473 84,749 448 338 786 172 130 302

Hauraki 1,005,818 49,823 37,685 87,508 489 370 859 178 135 313

Matamata-Piako 1,129,156 56,862 42,637 99,499 603 452 1,054 192 144 337

South Waikato 1,544,610 76,563 57,817 134,380 595 449 1,045 200 151 351

Bay of Plenty Western Bay of Plenty 1,262,662 63,217 47,234 110,451 532 398 930 185 138 324

Tauranga 1,014,411 49,999 38,484 88,483 476 367 843 165 127 293

Kawerau/Whakatane 1,241,549 59,750 45,626 105,377 526 402 927 191 146 336

Opotiki 1,152,017 55,937 42,609 98,546 491 374 865 178 135 313

Central Plateau Taupo 2,627,654 130,988 97,997 228,985 495 370 865 183 137 321

Rotorua 1,617,027 79,674 59,772 139,446 502 376 878 183 137 320

Western Uplands Waitomo 1,549,549 78,290 58,764 137,054 375 281 657 153 115 268

Ruapehu 1,477,062 73,505 55,496 129,000 437 330 767 166 125 291

East Coast Gisborne / Wairoa 1,659,168 78,985 60,249 139,235 385 294 679 145 111 256

Hawkes Bay Napier/Hastings 2,062,086 99,599 76,866 176,465 450 347 797 159 123 282

Central Hawkes Bay 2,759,402 132,000 103,640 235,640 528 414 942 186 146 332

Taranaki New Plymouth 949,527 49,153 36,624 85,777 508 379 887 192 143 336

Stratford 934,755 48,139 36,219 84,358 531 400 931 196 148 344

South Taranaki 1,151,109 60,299 44,970 105,269 586 437 1,023 199 148 347

Manawatu Wanganui 1,578,542 72,048 57,670 129,719 509 407 917 201 161 361

Rangitikei 1,830,147 88,740 69,051 157,791 559 435 994 197 154 351

Manawatu 1,553,319 75,109 58,219 133,328 556 431 986 201 156 357

Palmerston North City 1,520,337 73,511 57,203 130,714 532 414 945 199 155 354

Horowhenua 1,695,485 81,262 63,119 144,381 600 466 1,067 213 165 378

Kapiti Coast / Upper Hutt 1,239,925 57,211 45,368 102,579 499 395 894 199 158 357

Wairarapa Tararua 1,208,466 61,130 46,246 107,376 511 386 897 187 142 329

Masterton 2,092,501 101,579 78,525 180,104 654 505 1,159 215 166 381

Carterton 1,499,926 73,707 56,677 130,385 530 408 938 196 151 346

South Wairarapa 1,814,247 90,538 69,629 160,166 565 435 1,000 196 151 347

North Island 1,240,026 61,835 46,676 108,511 515 389 904 186 141 327


(Table 3.4 continued)

Region District Average litres per

herd


herd


herd


per herd


effective hectare


effective hectare




cow


cow


per cow

Nelson/Marlborough Marlborough 1,223,207 61,582 46,422 108,004 590 445 1,035 203 153 356

Kaikoura 1,707,831 85,351 65,173 150,523 582 444 1,026 199 152 351

Tasman/Nelson City 1,423,378 73,774 55,262 129,036 549 411 961 195 146 342

West Coast Buller 1,334,651 69,697 51,650 121,347 405 300 706 186 138 325

Grey 1,772,991 92,658 69,472 162,130 443 332 774 195 146 342

Westland 1,328,466 71,904 52,643 124,547 397 291 688 191 140 331

North Canterbury Hurunui 3,905,141 190,509 150,136 340,646 792 624 1,416 215 170 385

Waimakariri 2,618,964 125,739 99,994 225,733 735 585 1,320 212 168 380

Christchurch City 3,300,175 163,548 128,992 292,540 700 552 1,252 216 171 387

Banks Peninsula 1,116,715 52,000 41,490 93,489 422 337 758 183 146 329

Selwyn 3,215,246 156,960 123,650 280,610 705 556 1,261 216 170 386

Ashburton 3,954,566 194,290 153,341 347,631 797 629 1,425 222 175 397

South Canterbury Timaru 3,269,014 158,006 125,278 283,284 758 601 1,359 214 170 384

MacKenzie 3,804,469 187,970 148,460 336,430 699 552 1,251 225 178 403

Waimate 3,605,539 177,773 139,646 317,419 717 563 1,281 211 166 377

Otago Waitaki 3,150,484 154,723 121,747 276,470 737 580 1,317 205 161 366

Dunedin City 1,763,511 84,888 66,584 151,473 577 452 1,029 205 161 366

Clutha 2,253,874 109,067 85,690 194,757 565 444 1,010 204 160 364

Central Otago 3,136,158 161,341 124,305 285,645 637 491 1,127 211 162 373

Southland Gore 2,412,308 119,080 93,013 212,094 564 441 1,005 209 163 372

Invercargill 2,424,762 119,462 94,046 213,508 598 471 1,069 215 169 384

Southland 2,502,976 124,743 97,563 222,306 595 465 1,060 217 170 386

South Island 2,628,920 130,142 101,706 231,848 638 499 1,137 212 166 378

New Zealand 1,587,980 78,948 60,462 139,410 560 429 988 196 150 346

Note: Districts with fewer than four herds have been added to a neighbouring district to preserve anonymity


C. Operating structures

The main operating structures found on New Zealand dairy farms are owner operator, sharemilker and, to a lesser extent, contract milker.

Owner operators are farmers who either own and operate their own farms, or who employ a manager to operate the farm for a fixed wage.

Owner-operators receive all the farm income, although they may pay wages. Owner operators comprise the largest group of all operating

structures, being 65% of all herds.

Sharemilking has traditionally been the first step to farm ownership. Sharemilking involves operating a farm on behalf of the farm owner for an

agreed share of the farm receipts (as opposed to a set wage). Two types of sharemilking agreement are commonly used: Variable-order

sharemilking agreement and 50% agreements.

Under the 50% agreement (also called 50/50) the sharemilker owns the herd and any plant and equipment (other than the milking plant)

needed to farm the property. The sharemilker is usually responsible for milk harvesting expenses, all stock related expenses, and general farm

work and maintenance. The owner is usually responsible for expenses related to maintaining the property. The percentage quoted in a 50%

sharemilking agreement usually refers to the proportion of milk income the sharemilker receives. While this percentage is most commonly

50%, it can range from 45% to 55%. Under the 50% agreement the sharemilker receives the agreed percentage of milk income plus the

majority of income from stock sales, and the farm owner receives the remaining percentage of milk income.

Unlike the 50% agreement, where the owner may have little to do with farm management, a variable-order sharemilking agreement often

sees the owner heavily involved in management. The variable-order sharemilking agreement involves the farm owner retaining ownership of

the herd and bearing more of the farm costs, such as animal health and breeding. The amount of farm work required by the sharemilker is

determined by the individual agreement, with responsibility ranging from herd management only to carrying out all farm work.

Contract milkers are contracted to milk a herd at a set price per kilogram of milksolids produced. The rate is set according to the amount of

farm work done. In 2012/13, not all farms with contract milkers could be identified, and consequently any farms with contract milkers are

included with owner-operators.

• 65% of all herds are operated as owner-operators

• 53% of all sharemilkers are 50/50 sharemilkers

The number of herds farmed, average herd size, effective area and number of cows per hectare for each of the main operating structures are

shown in Table 3.5. In 2012/13, 4,180 (35%) New Zealand dairy herds operated under a sharemilking agreement. Fifty-three percent (2,229) of

all sharemilkers have 50/50 agreements.

Table 3.5: Herd analysis by operating structure in 2012/13

Operating structure Number of herds Percentage of herds Average herd size Average effective hectares

Average cows per effective hectare

Owner-operators 7,679 64.6 396 141 2.82

Sharemilkers:

less than 20% 224 1.9 667 206 3.23

20-29% 1,140 9.6 442 153 2.88

30-49% 170 1.4 339 119 2.86

50/50 2,229 18.7 376 131 2.88

over 50% 417 3.5 414 140 2.95

All sharemilkers 4,180 35.2 412 141 2.91

Unknown 32 0.3 676 206 3.28

All farms 11,891 402 141 2.85

Note: Contract milkers are included with owner-operators


Herd production in each of the main operating structure groups is shown in Table 3.6. The table shows that, on average, sharemilkers on less

than 20% agreements have the highest production per herd and per effective hectare.

Table 3.6: Herd production analysis by operating structure in 2012/13

Operating structure

Average litres per herd

Average kg milkfat per herd

Average kg milksolids per

herd


effective hectare


effective hectare

Average kg milkfat per cow


cow

Owner-operators 1,569,481 77,702 137,332 552 976 196 347

Sharemilkers:

less than 20% 2,882,804 143,505 255,135 696 1,237 215 383

20-29% 1,722,018 86,288 152,199 563 993 195 345

30-49% 1,321,828 66,095 116,448 558 983 195 343

50/50 1,460,280 73,349 129,022 562 988 195 343

over 50% 1,652,578 82,127 145,187 586 1,036 198 351

All Sharemilkers 1,621,447 81,218 143,202 575 1,013 197 348

All farms 1,587,980 78,948 139,410 560 988 196 346

Note: Contract milkers are included with owner-operators

Changes to the operating structure in the last ten seasons have seen the percentage of 50/50 sharemilkers decrease although the percentage

of all sharemilkers increased slightly in 2012/13. Table 3.7 shows the percentage of herds in each operating structure type, whereas Table 3.8

gives the actual number of herds.

Table 3.7: Trend in the percentage of herds in each operating structure for the last 10 seasons

Operating structure 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Owner-operators 62.7 63.7 63.9 63.4 63.1 63.6 65.1 65.4 65.8 64.6

Sharemilkers:

less than 20% 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.5 1.3 2.0 2.0 1.9

20-29% 8.6 8.2 8.6 8.8 9.1 10.4 10.5 10.9 9.9 9.6

30-49% 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.7 2.3 1.6 1.4

50/50 23.7 23.3 22.9 22.3 21.7 20.5 19.7 19.2 18.8 18.7

over 50% 1.9 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.4 0.2 1.8 3.5

All sharemilkers 37.1 36.1 35.8 35.4 35.4 36.0 34.6 34.6 34.2 35.2

Other/Unknown 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3

Table 3.8: Trend in the number of herds in each operating structure for the last 10 seasons

Operating structure 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Owner-operators 8,000 7,820 7,594 7,374 7,215 7,384 7,616 7,677 7,764 7,679

Sharemilkers:

less than 20% 78 68 78 93 119 177 147 233 234 224

20-29% 1,094 1,012 1,026 1,019 1,045 1,206 1,222 1,274 1,173 1,140

30-49% 292 257 231 208 198 207 200 273 193 170

50/50 3,027 2,863 2,719 2,599 2,483 2,381 2,303 2,249 2,218 2,229

over 50% 239 228 206 203 199 207 169 29 216 417

All sharemilkers 4,730 4,428 4,260 4,122 4,044 4,178 4,041 4,058 4,034 4,180

Other/Unknown 21 23 29 134 177 56 34 0 0 32

Total 12,751 12,271 11,883 11,630 11,436 11,618 11,691 11,735 11,798 11,891


Table 3.9 compares the number (and percentage) of owner-operators with sharemilkers by region. In the South Island there were more variable

order sharemilkers than 50/50 sharemilkers, while the opposite was the case in 2012/13 in the North Island.

Table 3.9: Operating structure by region in 2012/13

Farming region Owner-operators

Owner-operators

%

All share-milkers

All share-milkers

%

50/50 share-milkers

50/50 share-milkers

%

Variable order share-milkers


%

Total herds (excl.

unknown)

Northland 693 9.0 236 5.6 124 5.6 112 5.7 929

Auckland 269 3.5 160 3.8 99 4.4 61 3.1 429

Waikato 2,204 28.7 1,349 32.3 854 38.3 495 25.4 3,553

Bay of Plenty 408 5.3 188 4.5 110 4.9 78 4.0 596

Central Plateau 303 3.9 167 4.0 103 4.6 64 3.3 470

Western Uplands 58 0.8 28 0.7 17 0.8 11 0.6 86

East Coast 8 0.1 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1 9

Hawkes Bay 59 0.8 12 0.3 9 0.4 3 0.2 71

Taranaki 1,017 13.2 717 17.2 354 15.9 363 18.6 1,734

Manawatu 407 5.3 151 3.6 67 3.0 84 4.3 558

Wairarapa 316 4.1 149 3.6 67 3.0 82 4.2 465

North Island 5,742 74.8 3,158 75.6 1,804 80.9 1,354 69.4 8,900

Nelson/Marlborough 192 2.5 44 1.1 24 1.1 20 1.0 236

West Coast 280 3.6 91 2.2 42 1.9 49 2.5 371

North Canterbury 531 6.9 237 5.7 114 5.1 123 6.3 768

South Canterbury 165 2.1 104 2.5 35 1.6 69 3.5 269

Otago 203 2.6 184 4.4 65 2.9 119 6.1 387

Southland 566 7.4 362 8.7 145 6.5 217 11.1 928

South Island 1,937 25.2 1,022 24.4 425 19.1 597 30.6 2,959

New Zealand 7,679 100.0 4,180 100.0 2,229 100.0 1,951 100.0 11,859


Table 3.10 shows the number and percentage of owner-operators and sharemilkers by herd size.

Table 3.10: Operating structure by herd size in 2012/13

Herd size Owner-operators

Owner-operators %

All share-milkers

All share-milkers

%

50/50 share-milkers

50/50 share-milkers

%



%

Total herds (excl.

unknown)

10-49 12 0.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 12

50-99 216 2.8 27 0.6 13 0.6 14 0.7 243

100-149 620 8.1 151 3.6 84 3.8 67 3.4 771

150-199 973 12.7 425 10.2 266 11.9 159 8.1 1,398

200-249 1,110 14.5 615 14.7 388 17.4 227 11.6 1,725

250-299 795 10.4 464 11.1 289 13.0 175 9.0 1,259

300-349 721 9.4 490 11.7 268 12.0 222 11.4 1,211

350-399 454 5.9 325 7.8 166 7.4 159 8.1 779

400-449 465 6.1 316 7.6 158 7.1 158 8.1 781

450-499 336 4.4 236 5.6 115 5.2 121 6.2 572

500-549 322 4.2 217 5.2 102 4.6 115 5.9 539

550-599 254 3.3 164 3.9 72 3.2 92 4.7 418

600-649 246 3.2 145 3.5 56 2.5 89 4.6 391

650-699 164 2.1 105 2.5 45 2.0 60 3.1 269

700-749 136 1.8 98 2.3 34 1.5 64 3.3 234

750-799 124 1.6 72 1.7 35 1.6 37 1.9 196

800-849 131 1.7 60 1.4 23 1.0 37 1.9 191

850-899 87 1.1 45 1.1 24 1.1 21 1.1 132

900-949 80 1.0 35 0.8 15 0.7 20 1.0 115

950-999 56 0.7 26 0.6 17 0.8 9 0.5 82

1000-1099 108 1.4 49 1.2 23 1.0 26 1.3 157

1100-1199 76 1.0 31 0.7 11 0.5 20 1.0 107

1200-1499 110 1.4 54 1.3 20 0.9 34 1.7 164

1500+ 83 1.1 30 0.7 5 0.2 25 1.3 113

Total/Avg 7,679 100.0 4,180 100.0 2,229 100.0 1,951 100.0 11,859


D. Breed breakdownThree dairy breeds (Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and Friesian/Jersey crossbreed) dominate the dairy cow inseminations carried out in New Zealand,

as recorded on the LIC National Database.

The Jersey breed dominated the national dairy herd until the late 1960s. By 1970, Holstein-Friesian was the dominant dairy breed in New

Zealand, as a result of changes in farm management practices and farmers raising larger numbers of dairy calves for beef. Of the other breeds

of cattle used to inseminate dairy cows, the main beef breed currently in use is Polled Hereford. Other beef breeds used to a lesser degree

include Angus, Belgian Blue, and Simmental. Other breeds of dairy cattle present in smaller numbers in New Zealand include Milking

Shorthorn, Guernsey and Brown Swiss. Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed is emerging as a breed in its own right for the insemination of dairy

cows.

The percentages of the major dairy breeds for New Zealand and each region are shown in Graphs 3.2 and 3.3. Percentages are given for

Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed and Ayrshire cows with the remaining breeds and crossbreeds grouped into

“Other”. Holstein-Friesian is the prevalent breed in Northland, Bay of Plenty/East Coast and Manawatu/Wairarapa. Holstein-Friesian/Jersey

crossbreed is the prevalent breed in Waikato, Taranaki and all South Island regions. The Manawatu/Wairarapa region continues to have the

highest percentage of Holstein-Friesian cows (47%) followed closely by Bay of Plenty/East Coast (46%). Tasman/West Coast has the highest

proportion of Jerseys (25%) followed by Taranaki (19%). Marlborough/Canterbury has the highest proportion of Holstein-Friesian/Jersey

crossbreeds (48%), followed by Otago/Southland (46%).

Graph 3.2: Breed percentages of cows for New Zealand in 2012/13

Graph 3.3: Breed percentages of cows by region in 2012/13

Holstein-Friesian / Jersey crossbreed

Holstein-Friesian

Jersey

Ayrshire

Other

11.7%

0.7%8.1%

42.6%

37.0%

New Zealand

11.7%

0.7%

42.6%

37.0%

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Perc

enta

ge

North

land

Waik

ato

Bay o

f Plen

ty / E

ast C

oast

Tara

naki

Man

awat

u / W

airar

apa

Tasm

an /

Wes

t Coa

stM

arlbo

roug

h / C

ante

rbur

y

Otag

o / S

outh

land

New Ze

aland

New Ze

aland

North

land

Waik

ato

Bay o

f Plen

ty / E

ast C

oast

Tara

naki

Man

awat

u / W

airar

apa

Tasm

an /

Wes

t Coa

stM

arlbo

roug

h / C

ante

rbur

y

Otag

o / S

outh

land

42.633.7

43.536.6

40.7

33.8

43.4 48.4 45.8

37.0

11.7

43.0

14.2

35.2

13.3

45.7

11.6

29.1

19.1

47.2

11.4

19.1

24.7

36.4

6.1

39.7

6.1


4. Herd improvement

A. Use of herd testing

Herd testing enables farmers to collect information about individual cows in their herds. The information gained from herd testing is vital for

effective herd management and decision making. Farmers are able to benchmark animal performance within herd, within region, and

nationally.

Farmers currently have the choice of two herd testing service providers (CRV AmBreed and LIC), and are able to choose the frequency of

testing. Data used in the following analysis includes figures from both herd test providers.

Herd testing involves the collection of individual milk samples from animals in the herd. A full herd test provides information on milk volumes,

milkfat and protein yields, and somatic cell counts.

Herd testing provides an overall picture of the production of the herd, and enables the mastitis status to be monitored. More specifically, herd

test information identifies low-producing cows (for culling or drying off), high producers (for breeding), and cows with mastitis (for therapy or

culling).

• More cows herd-tested in 2012/13

The percentage of total herds and the percentage of total cows using herd testing decreased slightly (72.2% and 71.6% respectively for

2012/13, Table 4.1). A record 3.42 million cows were herd-tested in 2012/13.

Table 4.1: Trend in the use of herd testing services for the last 20 seasons

Season Number of herds herd-tested

% of total herds Number of cows herd-tested (000)

% of total cows Total herds Total cows (000)

1993/94 12,372 84.8 2,377 86.9 14,597 2,736

1994/95 12,446 85.0 2,474 87.4 14,649 2,831

1995/96 12,620 85.6 2,592 88.3 14,736 2,936

1996/97 12,851 87.2 2,746 89.6 14,741 3,065

1997/98 12,510 85.3 2,826 87.7 14,673 3,223

1998/99 12,059 84.0 2,819 85.7 14,362 3,289

1999/00 11,521 83.1 2,806 85.8 13,861 3,269

2000/01 11,472 82.6 2,942 84.4 13,892 3,486

2001/02 11,113 81.4 2,974 80.5 13,649 3,693

2002/03 10,113 77.0 2,855 76.3 13,140 3,741

2003/04 9,772 76.6 2,842 73.8 12,751 3,851

2004/05 9,306 75.8 2,811 72.7 12,271 3,868

2005/06 9,082 76.4 2,846 74.3 11,883 3,832

2006/07 8,692 74.7 2,791 71.2 11,630 3,917

2007/08 8,405 73.5 2,871 71.5 11,436 4,013

2008/09 8,589 73.9 3,040 71.5 11,618 4,253

2009/10 7,870 67.3 2,812 64.0 11,691 4,397

2010/11 8,409 71.7 3,186 70.4 11,735 4,529

2011/12 8,673 73.5 3,362 72.6 11,798 4,634

2012/13 8,585 72.2 3,426 71.6 11,891 4,784


The trend in the percentage of total herds using herd testing shows a slight decrease from last season (Graph 4.1).

Graph 4.1: Trend in the percentage of herds testing for the last 30 seasons

The regional uptake of herd testing services in 2012/13 is shown in Table 4.2, where the number of cows tested refers to all cows tested at

least once in the season. Next to East Coast, where all nine herds were herd-tested, Wairarapa had the highest percentage of herds using herd

testing (79%) while Taranaki had the highest percentage of cows herd testing (80%). The Central Plateau recorded the lowest percentage of

cows herd tested (56%). South Canterbury and the West Coast of the South Island also have lower percentages of herds that herd test.

Table 4.2: Use of herd testing by region in 2012/13

Farming Region Herds tested Total herds Percentage of total herds

Cows tested Total cows Percentage of total cows

Average herd size tested

Average herd size

Northland 622 935 66.5 194,001 285,956 67.8 312 306

Auckland 315 431 73.1 83,604 111,976 74.7 265 260

Waikato 2,634 3,554 74.1 861,045 1,148,553 75.0 327 323

Bay of Plenty 434 598 72.6 141,272 192,877 73.2 326 323

Central Plateau 272 470 57.9 138,873 247,046 56.2 511 526

Western Uplands 61 86 70.9 28,577 42,106 67.9 468 490

East Coast 9 9 100.0 3,396 4,899 69.3 377 544

Hawkes Bay 53 71 74.6 31,939 47,781 66.8 603 673

Taranaki 1,366 1,734 78.8 390,347 490,528 79.6 286 283

Manawatu 413 559 73.9 161,885 214,710 75.4 392 384

Wairarapa 368 465 79.1 129,472 168,570 76.8 352 363

Nelson/Marlborough 171 237 72.2 58,730 86,203 68.1 343 364

West Coast 240 371 64.7 93,234 147,660 63.1 388 398

North Canterbury 537 768 69.9 427,056 607,811 70.3 795 791

South Canterbury 167 278 60.1 137,619 218,514 63.0 824 786

Otago 297 396 75.0 177,459 236,981 74.9 598 598

Southland 626 929 67.4 367,702 532,079 69.1 587 573

New Zealand 8,585 11,891 72.2 3,426,211 4,784,250 71.6 399 402

Note: Table includes figures from both herd test providers

100

90

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70

60

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0

1983

/84

1984

/85

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/94

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/95

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/96

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/00

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/03

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/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

Perc

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f her

ds

Season


B. Herd test averagesThe lactation yield figures in this section are for herd-tested cows. Seasonal and breed averages (parts i and iii) are calculated on lactation yields

for herds tested four or more times during the season. Monthly averages (part ii) are calculated on lactation yields for herds tested at least once

during the season, and only cows that lactated for 100 days or more were included in the herd test averages. These figures are different to the

average milksolids figures given in Chapters 2 and 3 (national and regional dairy statistics, respectively), which were based on all herds

supplying a dairy company (regardless of whether herd testing was used) and represented the average production per cow as supplied to the

dairy company.

Days-in-milk (herd testing) information is the number of days from the start of lactation to the calculated end of lactation. The start of lactation

is four days from calving (with a maximum of 60 days between the estimated start of lactation and the first herd test). The end of lactation is

the last herd test date plus 15 days. The inclusion of herds with fewer than four tests reduces the calculated average lactation length:

therefore, the number of days-in-milk, calculated using this method, does not necessarily reflect the average lactation length of dairy cows.

The days-in-milk (production) figure is the number of days from the estimated start of lactation to the estimated end of lactation (reported

since 1997/98). The results are derived from seasonal supplier tanker pick-up information, adjusted for calving spread. The days-in-milk

(production) methodology provides a more accurate measure of the average lactation length of dairy cows than the herd-testing methodology.

i) Seasonal averages

• North Canterbury has the highest herd test production (kg/cow) and days in milk

• West Coast and Taranaki have the highest milkfat, protein and milksolids percentages

The average per-cow statistics for each region are summarised in Table 4.3. North Canterbury recorded the highest per cow milk volume (5,031

litres), milkfat (228 kg) and protein (191 kg), of cows herd tested. Taranaki and West Coast recorded the highest percentage for milkfat

(5.05%). West Coast also recorded the highest percentage for milksolids (8.98%), followed closely by Taranaki (8.94%). Herds in Otago and

the West Coast recorded the lowest average somatic cells (186,000 and 187,000 cells/ml respectively), while herds in Hawke’s Bay had the

highest average (283,000 cells/ml).

Table 4.3: Season herd test averages per cow by region in 2012/13

Region Milk (litres) Milkfat (kg) Milkfat (%) Protein (kg) Protein (%) Milksolids (kg)

Milksolids (%)

Days in milk (herd

testing)

Days in milk

(production)

Somatic cell count (000 cells/ millilitre)

Northland 3,615 171 4.74 133 3.68 304 8.42 220 251 250

Auckland 4,028 190 4.71 148 3.67 338 8.38 228 258 241

Waikato 4,086 197 4.82 153 3.74 350 8.56 227 251 195

Bay of Plenty 4,165 194 4.67 154 3.69 348 8.35 220 251 212

Central Plateau 4,253 200 4.70 157 3.70 357 8.40 205 238 221

Western Uplands 3,416 171 5.01 130 3.81 301 8.81 207 242 199

East Coast 3,201 145 4.52 116 3.61 260 8.13 208 263 264

Hawkes Bay 3,713 167 4.50 137 3.69 304 8.19 206 251 283

Taranaki 4,036 204 5.05 157 3.89 361 8.94 222 254 196

Manawatu 4,642 212 4.57 172 3.70 384 8.27 234 271 238

Wairarapa 4,074 194 4.76 154 3.78 348 8.54 221 269 233

Nelson/Marlborough 4,225 205 4.85 160 3.79 365 8.64 232 272 191

West Coast 3,911 198 5.05 154 3.92 351 8.98 225 268 187

North Canterbury 5,031 228 4.53 191 3.80 419 8.34 236 277 190

South Canterbury 4,892 224 4.59 186 3.80 410 8.39 229 272 197

Otago 4,639 215 4.64 177 3.81 392 8.45 234 273 186

Southland 4,757 222 4.66 183 3.84 404 8.50 229 271 198

New Zealand 4,386 207 4.72 166 3.79 373 8.51 227 258 204

The 2012/13 milkfat and protein lactation regional averages for herd-tested cows (Graph 4.2) show some variability in figures among regions,

with milkfat production ranging from 145 (East Coast) to 228 kg per cow (North Canterbury) and protein production from 116 (East Coast) to

191 kg per cow (North Canterbury).


Graph 4.2: Average milkfat and protein production per cow by region in 2012/13

• Production per cow second highest in 20 seasons

Milk production for 2012/13 decreased slightly, which is against the trend of the last 20 seasons (Table 4.4). The herd test average milksolids

per cow was 50 kilograms higher in the last decade compared with the previous decade.

The average herd somatic cell count remained at 204,000 cells/millilitre for 2012/13. Average days in milk at 258 in 2012/13 was less than the

previous season, refl ecting many North Island herds drying off earlier than usual due to drought. The milksolids percentage of 8.51% was

down slightly on the previous season but was still the second highest in the last 20 seasons.

Table 4.4: Trend in the national herd test averages for the last 20 seasons

Season Milk (litres) Milkfat (kg) Milkfat (%) Protein (kg) Protein (%) Milksolids (kg)

Milksolids (%)

Days in milk (herd

testing)

Days inmilk

(production)

Somatic cell count (000

cells/ millilitre)

1993/94 3,560 171 4.84 131 3.69 302 8.48 223 - 216

1994/95 3,253 154 4.77 118 3.64 272 8.36 208 - 206

1995/96 3,501 164 4.72 126 3.60 290 8.28 224 - 206

1996/97 3,641 173 4.78 133 3.66 306 8.40 223 - 197

1997/98 3,373 158 4.67 119 3.52 277 8.21 209 266 195

1998/99 3,189 147 4.51 113 3.44 260 8.15 208 266 200

1999/00 3,601 169 4.69 130 3.58 299 8.30 221 263 193

2000/01 3,706 173 4.68 134 3.59 307 8.28 224 268 196

2001/02 3,791 176 4.64 138 3.61 314 8.28 227 268a 210

2002/03 3,736 175 4.68 138 3.66 313 8.38 219 - 213

2003/04 3,871 184 4.75 142 3.64 326 8.42 224 265 220

2004/05 3,812 181 4.75 140 3.66 321 8.42 225 265 229

2005/06 3,951 186 4.72 146 3.68 332 8.40 227 266 213

2006/07 4,014 191 4.85 150 3.76 341 8.50 230 267 232

2007/08 3,987 187 4.68 148 3.70 334 8.38 225 252 246

2008/09 4,043 190 4.70 150 3.72 340 8.42 228 266 253

2009/10 4,097 194 4.73 154 3.76 348 8.48 227 260 235

2010/11 4,101 194 4.73 154 3.75 348 8.48 229 274 232

2011/12 4,409 210 4.77 167 3.80 378 8.56 235 275 204

2012/13 4,386 207 4.72 166 3.79 373 8.51 227 258 204

- Not availablea Average excludes Northland, Taranaki and Wellington/Hawkes Bay

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Kilo

gram

s

North

land

Auck

land

Waik

ato

Bay o

f Plen

tyCe

ntra

l Plat

eau

Wes

tern

Upla

nds

East

Coas

tHa

wkes B

ay

Tara

naki

Man

awat

u

Wair

arap

aNe

lson /

Marl

boro

ugh

Wes

t Coa

stNo

rth C

ante

rbur

ySo

uth

Cant

erbu

ry

Otag

oSo

uthla

ndNe

w Zeala

nd

North

land

133

171

Auck

land

148

190

Waik

ato

153

197

Bay o

f Plen

ty

154

194

Cent

ral P

latea

u

157

200

Wes

tern

Upla

nds

130

171Ea

st Co

ast

116

145

Hawke

s Bay

137

167

Tara

naki

157

204

Man

awat

u

172

212

Wair

arap

a

154

194

Nelso

n / M

arlbo

roug

h

160

205

Wes

t Coa

st

154

198

North

Can

terb

ury

191

228

Sout

h Ca

nter

bury

186

224

Otag

o

177

215

Sout

hland

183

222

New Ze

aland

166

207

Milkfat per cow (kg) Protein per cow (kg)


ii) Monthly averages

• Highest average production per cow per day occurred in October

The seasonal average figures presented in Table 4.5 are calculated using national monthly herd test averages, and are therefore affected by the

number of samples processed. Statistics for May, June, and July are based on far fewer cows than the statistics for the other months, as only a

few herds (generally winter milk herds) test in these months. Differences in climate between regions (which in turn can affect the mating

period), available feed, and cow condition are reflected in differing months of peak production.

All cows herd tested in each month were included, provided they were tested at least once during the season (Table 4.5). Most regions

recorded average peak cow production in October with the exception of Waikato, Western Uplands, Taranaki, Nelson/Marlborough and

Southland all of which peaked in September.

Table 4.5: Monthly herd test averages by region in 2012/13

Average litres of milk per cow per day

Farming region2012

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec2013

Jan Feb Mar Apr MaySeason

average

Northland 17.00 16.40 18.86 19.79 18.89 17.46 15.70 13.30 10.58 8.60 9.94 14.15 15.31

Auckland 17.22 18.53 20.09 20.85 21.05 19.21 17.00 13.77 12.14 10.05 10.35 13.57 16.62

Waikato 17.72 17.92 21.24 22.01 21.85 20.07 18.17 15.44 12.37 9.98 10.37 14.73 17.33

Bay of Plenty 10.46 16.38 23.14 22.29 23.20 20.76 18.36 15.49 13.83 11.02 10.43 11.49 17.84

Central Plateau 11.99 . 21.30 23.26 24.64 23.08 20.20 17.16 13.34 11.48 11.50 13.69 19.14

Western Uplands . . . 21.06 20.79 19.15 17.29 14.60 11.56 9.47 8.84 10.11 16.26

East Coast . 17.37 . 18.03 24.59 18.29 18.07 13.03 13.78 6.62 7.57 27.09 15.28

Hawkes Bay 17.64 16.59 28.16 20.83 23.43 19.89 19.46 14.35 11.87 9.93 11.73 13.18 17.13

Taranaki 17.71 17.83 20.12 21.89 21.72 20.36 18.63 16.15 14.51 10.65 10.56 13.96 17.48

Manawatu 17.94 18.00 20.64 23.54 23.57 22.74 20.02 16.93 15.31 12.69 11.97 14.50 18.66

Wairarapa 14.87 15.17 20.92 21.33 21.66 21.17 18.76 16.50 14.55 11.47 10.72 11.60 17.20

Nelson/Marlborough 14.74 21.09 15.59 22.54 21.82 20.56 19.43 16.76 15.71 12.80 11.00 10.22 17.25

West Coast . 9.02 . 20.85 21.46 20.22 18.78 15.63 14.81 10.86 10.09 9.83 16.50

North Canterbury 17.56 20.39 19.72 24.43 25.00 23.45 22.43 19.73 18.61 15.99 14.10 13.03 20.12

South Canterbury 19.54 23.36 23.03 24.15 24.57 24.75 22.04 20.74 18.22 15.90 13.69 13.18 20.17

Otago 14.86 18.33 16.61 23.58 24.29 22.63 21.13 18.99 17.22 14.80 11.41 11.59 18.83

Southland 19.81 19.67 21.36 25.66 24.97 23.31 21.87 19.25 18.49 15.16 11.78 11.58 19.48

New Zealand1 17.28 18.09 20.85 22.51 22.96 21.27 19.66 16.83 14.95 12.38 11.77 12.74 18.15

Average kg of milkfat per cow per day

Farming region2012



average

Northland 0.79 0.80 0.88 0.92 0.87 0.84 0.73 0.67 0.57 0.51 0.57 0.74 0.76

Auckland 0.79 0.86 0.91 0.94 0.96 0.89 0.81 0.67 0.65 0.58 0.60 0.76 0.82

Waikato 0.86 0.88 1.01 1.03 1.02 0.96 0.89 0.77 0.68 0.60 0.63 0.82 0.88

Bay of Plenty 0.49 0.82 1.07 1.02 1.04 0.96 0.86 0.75 0.73 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.88

Central Plateau 0.69 . 0.96 1.09 1.11 1.05 0.95 0.84 0.74 0.69 0.69 0.77 0.95

Western Uplands . . . 0.97 0.96 0.92 0.83 0.73 0.64 0.60 0.58 0.63 0.83

East Coast . 0.86 . 0.77 1.06 0.84 0.74 0.62 0.64 0.35 0.45 1.22 0.73

Hawkes Bay 0.93 0.76 1.18 0.93 1.01 0.92 0.90 0.66 0.61 0.55 0.64 0.69 0.82

Taranaki 0.93 0.90 0.96 1.05 1.05 1.02 0.95 0.86 0.80 0.66 0.67 0.82 0.93

Manawatu 0.87 0.85 0.96 1.05 1.05 1.02 0.93 0.80 0.77 0.68 0.68 0.77 0.9

Wairarapa 0.77 0.73 0.96 0.98 1.00 1.00 0.91 0.82 0.76 0.65 0.64 0.66 0.87


West Coast . 0.68 . 0.99 1.03 0.99 0.92 0.80 0.80 0.63 0.64 0.66 0.88



Otago 0.70 0.86 0.84 1.05 1.05 1.02 0.96 0.90 0.84 0.78 0.66 0.71 0.92

Southland 0.97 1.03 1.07 1.15 1.12 1.06 1.00 0.92 0.91 0.80 0.70 0.69 0.96

New Zealand1 0.83 0.86 0.98 1.04 1.05 1.00 0.93 0.83 0.78 0.70 0.69 0.73 0.91


Average kg of protein per cow per day

Farming region2012



average

Northland 0.62 0.63 0.69 0.73 0.69 0.66 0.58 0.51 0.42 0.36 0.43 0.58 0.58

Auckland 0.64 0.67 0.72 0.76 0.77 0.72 0.64 0.51 0.47 0.42 0.45 0.56 0.63

Waikato 0.68 0.69 0.78 0.81 0.81 0.77 0.70 0.59 0.49 0.42 0.46 0.63 0.67

Bay of Plenty 0.43 0.66 0.85 0.82 0.85 0.78 0.68 0.58 0.53 0.46 0.47 0.49 0.68

Central Plateau 0.51 . 0.79 0.86 0.90 0.86 0.75 0.64 0.52 0.48 0.51 0.60 0.73

Western Uplands . . . 0.79 0.78 0.73 0.66 0.55 0.46 0.41 0.41 0.47 0.63

East Coast . 0.60 . 0.63 0.88 0.68 0.61 0.47 0.49 0.27 0.33 0.95 0.57

Hawkes Bay 0.72 0.58 1.04 0.77 0.87 0.76 0.74 0.53 0.46 0.41 0.49 0.56 0.65

Taranaki 0.68 0.70 0.75 0.82 0.83 0.81 0.74 0.65 0.59 0.46 0.48 0.61 0.7

Manawatu 0.67 0.67 0.77 0.86 0.87 0.84 0.75 0.64 0.59 0.52 0.52 0.62 0.72

Wairarapa 0.58 0.58 0.78 0.78 0.81 0.81 0.72 0.64 0.58 0.48 0.48 0.52 0.68


West Coast . 0.43 . 0.78 0.80 0.79 0.73 0.62 0.60 0.47 0.48 0.49 0.67



Otago 0.55 0.69 0.62 0.86 0.89 0.85 0.81 0.74 0.69 0.61 0.52 0.55 0.75

Southland 0.76 0.78 0.85 0.96 0.92 0.88 0.84 0.75 0.74 0.63 0.54 0.54 0.78

New Zealand1 0.65 0.68 0.77 0.83 0.85 0.81 0.75 0.65 0.59 0.52 0.53 0.58 0.71

Average somatic cell count (000 cells per millilitre)

Farming region2012



average

Northland 239 251 224 203 226 193 241 255 300 344 361 289 250

Auckland 249 244 220 219 206 193 195 241 299 328 332 274 241

Waikato 245 228 191 175 173 153 165 180 226 274 298 250 195

Bay of Plenty 290 371 183 199 195 172 184 208 226 279 309 409 212

Central Plateau 399 . 178 184 186 197 209 217 252 318 281 309 221

Western Uplands . . . 179 193 174 148 209 223 261 305 274 199

East Coast . 242 . 144 343 188 174 309 214 307 451 163 264

Hawkes Bay 305 264 287 290 253 262 230 298 290 347 256 332 283

Taranaki 273 296 202 170 173 166 172 181 214 260 278 264 196

Manawatu 265 273 235 208 211 204 204 256 252 291 290 263 238

Wairarapa 229 297 256 196 226 199 210 218 235 278 302 282 233

Nelson/Marlborough 416 117 355 156 166 162 163 183 186 242 233 294 191

West Coast . 503 . 149 162 163 152 185 173 256 261 235 187

North Canterbury 262 267 305 204 198 181 174 178 182 178 199 234 190

South Canterbury 310 191 215 212 213 203 169 201 182 185 210 197 197

Otago 204 292 321 186 172 180 166 166 183 181 221 235 186

Southland 430 287 387 194 186 184 186 196 187 214 230 220 198

New Zealand1 252 257 205 188 188 176 180 197 216 248 252 244 204

1 Volume weighted averages


iii) Breed averages

• Holstein-Friesian and Cross-bred cows show highest milksolids (kg) production

Herd test statistics by breed (Table 4.6) include cows herd tested four or more times during the season.

On average, Holstein-Friesian cows produced a higher volume of milk and more milksolids (kg) than other breeds. Jerseys have the highest

milkfat and protein percentages. Holstein-Friesian five- and six-year-old cows produced more milksolids (kg) than any other age group. For the

other breeds, six-year-olds were the top performing cows.

A crossbreed is defined as having at most 13/16 of any one breed. For example, a Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed may be 13/16

Holstein-Friesian, 2/16 Jersey and 1/16 Ayrshire.

Table 4.6: Herd test breed averages by age of cow in 2012/13

Holstein-Friesian

Age Cows tested Days in milk Milk (litres) Milkfat (kg) Protein (kg) Milksolids (kg) Milkfat (%) Protein (%) Milksolids (%)

2 161,192 218 3,576 157.2 131.3 288.5 4.44 3.68 8.12

3 144,838 213 4,236 184.7 155.5 340.2 4.41 3.68 8.09

4 156,608 213 4,624 204.1 169.7 373.8 4.47 3.68 8.15

5 134,401 212 4,798 211.0 174.8 385.8 4.45 3.66 8.11

6 103,126 211 4,877 209.6 176.0 385.6 4.34 3.62 7.96

7 82,514 209 4,815 208.6 174.1 382.7 4.37 3.63 8.00

8 54,698 205 4,633 201.4 166.5 367.9 4.39 3.61 8.00

9 36,964 203 4,463 193.7 159.3 353.1 4.38 3.57 7.95

10+ 50,862 197 4,054 179.3 143.7 323.1 4.46 3.56 8.02

Total 925,203 211 4,414 193.0 160.6 353.6 4.42 3.65 8.07

Jersey


2 59,650 214 2,613 142.1 105.4 247.5 5.47 4.05 9.52

3 57,032 211 3,011 169.2 124.6 293.8 5.65 4.14 9.79

4 53,790 212 3,281 186.2 136.6 322.9 5.71 4.18 9.89

5 47,084 212 3,376 192.7 140.6 333.3 5.74 4.18 9.92

6 37,210 211 3,388 192.8 141.2 334.1 5.72 4.18 9.90

7 31,018 209 3,342 190.1 138.8 328.8 5.72 4.16 9.88

8 20,852 205 3,259 183.3 133.8 317.1 5.66 4.12 9.78

9 14,712 204 3,111 174.8 127.7 302.5 5.65 4.12 9.77

10+ 18,798 197 2,868 160.8 116.1 277.0 5.63 4.06 9.69

Total 340,146 210 3,118 175.5 128.7 304.2 5.65 4.14 9.79

Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed


2 257,635 217 3,233 157.7 125.2 282.9 4.93 3.88 8.81

3 237,060 214 3,829 187.0 149.4 336.4 4.94 3.91 8.85

4 206,017 213 4,166 205.2 162.7 367.9 4.98 3.92 8.90

5 164,765 212 4,290 212.5 166.7 379.2 5.01 3.90 8.91

6 117,660 212 4,375 213.2 168.8 382.0 4.93 3.88 8.81

7 90,217 210 4,318 211.0 166.2 377.2 4.94 3.87 8.81

8 59,126 206 4,221 205.8 160.9 366.7 4.92 3.83 8.75

9 41,268 204 4,053 197.2 154.1 351.3 4.91 3.82 8.73

10+ 51,794 198 3,704 182.7 139.5 322.2 4.97 3.78 8.75

Total 1,225,542 212 3,932 192.7 152.3 344.9 4.95 3.89 8.84


Ayrshire


2 3,408 223 3,229 143.9 115.4 259.4 4.48 3.58 8.06

3 2,855 221 3,793 168.1 136.7 304.8 4.45 3.61 8.06

4 2,714 221 4,161 183.8 150.5 334.2 4.45 3.63 8.08

5 2,413 221 4,297 189.4 154.7 344.1 4.44 3.61 8.05

6 1,962 220 4,340 188.2 156.1 344.3 4.35 3.60 7.95

7 1,694 216 4,229 184.9 152.6 337.5 4.40 3.62 8.02

8 1,239 214 4,105 178.5 147.0 325.5 4.37 3.59 7.96

9 840 212 4,053 176.0 144.2 320.2 4.37 3.57 7.94

10+ 1,420 208 3,721 161.9 132.1 294.0 4.38 3.56 7.94

Total 18,545 219 3,934 173.0 141.3 314.3 4.42 3.60 8.02

Holstein-Friesians have the highest average liveweight across all ages for the breeds shown in Table 4.7. In contrast, Jerseys have the lowest

average liveweight at all ages. Liveweight by age and breed is illustrated in Graph 4.3.

Table 4.7: Liveweight by age and breed of cow in 2012/13Holstein-Friesian Jersey Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed

Age Average liveweight (kg)

Number of cows Average liveweight (kg)

Number of cows Average liveweight (kg)

Number of cows

2 435 7,994 346 3,559 402 13,365

3 481 2,049 388 773 448 3,776

4 486 2,207 419 630 458 3,306

5 496 1,632 417 434 470 2,453

6 506 1,261 415 396 474 1,820

7 502 1,113 418 311 477 1,341

8 511 648 422 196 485 743

9 514 413 422 138 484 499

10+ 513 452 428 137 491 546

Weighted Avg 468 376 434

Graph 4.3: Liveweight by age and breed of cow in 2012/13

550

500

450

400

350

300

Holstein-Friesian Jersey

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+

Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed

Live

wei

ght (

kg)

Age


C. Artificial Breeding (AB) statistics

• A record 3.58 million cows to AB in 2012/13

All artificial inseminations are recorded on the LIC National Database. Table 4.8 provides a summary of cows mated to AB for the last nine

seasons. The percentage of cows to AB has fluctuated between 72% (2009/10) and 76% (2007/08) for the last nine seasons (Graph 4.4). The

number of cows to AB increased 3.8% to a record 3.58 million in 2012/13. The number of yearlings to AB increased to 198,700 from 177,000

in the previous season (Table 4.8).

Table 4.8: Trend in Artificial Breeding use for the last nine seasons by region: Cows and yearlings to AB

Cows to AB

Region 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Northland 182,339 176,370 172,786 175,082 171,472 168,427 171,390 180,615 192,066

Auckland 86,109 81,693 75,613 75,624 73,708 70,604 70,730 73,516 76,013

Waikato 831,809 802,112 810,022 831,945 816,985 803,113 817,660 837,380 867,180

Bay of Plenty 141,484 141,621 143,911 146,265 142,908 135,087 138,554 136,183 137,806

Central Plateau 120,001 116,980 121,672 127,817 129,853 128,561 132,040 143,101 160,005

Western Uplands 18,337 17,370 19,455 20,522 21,781 20,508 25,415 25,136 28,427

East Coast 612 686 514 1,466 3,163 1,343 714 1,474 2,240

Hawkes Bay 22,469 23,896 25,703 27,561 29,426 28,480 32,338 34,433 36,878

Taranaki 388,247 380,806 371,923 390,732 381,876 379,318 389,668 392,236 396,646

Manawatu 137,124 140,106 138,647 140,265 138,830 131,907 141,879 151,327 160,485

Wairarapa 120,794 124,159 121,840 126,863 129,383 124,670 128,243 133,934 133,086

Nelson/Marlborough 67,261 67,119 65,909 65,512 67,270 64,028 67,256 68,986 68,423

West Coast 91,417 94,924 98,435 99,874 103,470 98,785 96,423 96,049 98,182

North Canterbury 247,379 261,166 278,983 313,423 365,250 374,378 411,344 455,981 502,449

South Canterbury 77,693 82,519 91,096 102,486 128,466 130,043 141,565 154,917 171,235

Otago 119,109 122,572 128,254 140,696 147,975 158,855 170,412 175,922 180,320

Southland 228,930 229,360 239,914 268,036 315,849 334,520 366,399 381,678 367,641

New Zealand 2,881,114 2,863,459 2,904,677 3,054,169 3,167,665 3,152,627 3,302,030 3,442,868 3,579,082

% Cows to AB

Region 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Northland 64.0 65.8 65.0 66.2 64.0 62.0 62.3 64.6 67.2

Auckland 67.4 68.6 65.0 66.9 64.9 64.5 63.9 67.1 67.9

Waikato 76.5 74.6 74.8 77.2 74.0 71.7 72.0 73.5 75.5

Bay of Plenty 75.0 75.9 75.5 76.4 73.9 70.0 72.1 71.1 71.4

Central Plateau 58.5 58.1 58.7 59.7 58.2 55.3 55.8 59.8 64.8

Western Uplands 64.1 61.3 63.9 64.1 63.8 55.5 63.9 64.2 67.5

East Coast 12.1 11.9 12.2 37.7 76.7 24.1 15.1 30.7 45.7

Hawkes Bay 62.5 66.9 68.9 74.7 67.8 62.0 69.3 73.7 77.2

Taranaki 78.8 79.1 77.6 82.3 80.3 79.3 80.0 81.0 80.9

Manawatu 73.1 77.9 73.2 73.7 70.2 65.0 66.6 71.3 74.7

Wairarapa 75.3 79.5 76.7 80.0 78.4 75.6 77.9 80.3 78.9

Nelson/Marlborough 79.0 80.1 81.1 80.8 82.3 77.0 79.3 81.7 79.4

West Coast 73.9 76.6 77.2 75.3 74.0 68.8 66.4 65.4 66.5

North Canterbury 81.3 80.3 80.0 81.0 82.1 78.8 80.4 81.5 82.7

South Canterbury 79.4 77.2 76.9 78.4 78.3 73.9 76.8 80.2 78.4

Otago 78.2 80.1 79.7 82.5 81.1 79.9 80.1 76.2 76.1

Southland 76.3 75.8 75.3 75.9 75.5 73.0 75.7 75.5 69.1

New Zealand 74.5 74.7 74.2 76.1 74.5 71.7 72.9 74.3 74.8


Yearlings to AB

Region 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Northland 6,333 7,334 8,533 11,759 10,796 8,816 8,744 9,637 10,377

Auckland 2,075 2,420 2,338 3,454 3,336 2,588 3,073 3,170 2,994

Waikato 13,933 13,312 16,126 22,341 22,557 15,505 18,676 23,609 26,144

Bay of Plenty 5,027 6,696 7,723 11,508 10,495 7,116 7,871 7,461 8,373

Central Plateau 1,862 2,008 3,374 4,811 3,944 2,917 2,704 4,118 4,533

Western Uplands 637 655 550 1,141 853 782 1,048 1,577 2,066

East Coast 0 0 0 29 3 7 2 0 0

Hawkes Bay 872 968 1,042 1,417 2,037 1,010 1,986 2,025 3,725

Taranaki 3,268 3,375 3,420 8,227 6,775 4,822 5,191 6,458 7,651

Manawatu 2,690 3,553 3,205 6,423 6,215 4,137 4,717 6,341 7,119

Wairarapa 2,409 2,850 3,357 5,091 5,044 4,150 4,055 4,537 4,721

Nelson/Marlborough 2,175 3,088 3,522 5,096 4,651 2,499 4,006 4,826 4,874

West Coast 1,739 1,747 1,981 3,658 4,265 3,580 3,706 4,481 3,760

North Canterbury 11,085 16,653 17,920 32,205 25,831 18,911 29,168 36,916 43,063

South Canterbury 7,096 9,193 9,750 14,020 14,669 11,395 14,808 18,151 23,201

Otago 6,545 8,201 10,225 14,767 13,599 13,043 15,754 16,392 16,974

Southland 11,535 14,302 25,160 25,358 25,210 18,209 22,947 27,266 29,161

New Zealand 79,281 96,355 118,226 171,305 160,280 119,487 148,456 176,965 198,736

Graph 4.4: Trend in the percentage of cows to Artificial Breeding for the last 30 seasons

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

1983

/84

1984

/85

1985

/86

1986

/87

1987

/88

1988

/89

1989

/90

1990

/91

1991

/92

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

Perc

enta

ge o

f cow

s

Season


In 2012/13 the average number of inseminations per cow (1.34) (recorded on the LIC National Database) has remained the same as the

previous two seasons.

Graph 4.5: Average number of inseminations per cow for the last 20 seasons

The use of Ayrshire, Holstein-Friesian and Jersey semen over different cow breeds for the past fi ve seasons is shown in the graphs below.

Ayrshire semen use over Ayrshire cows is 31.5% (Graph 4.6). Crossbreed semen is used predominantly over Friesian/Jersey crosses (Graph 4.7).

The use of Jersey semen over other breeds is illustrated in Graph 4.8. The percentage of Holstein-Friesian semen over Holstein-Friesian/Jersey

cows continues to increase (Graph 4.9).

Graph 4.6: Ayrshire semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last fi ve seasons

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

1.34 1.34

1.29 1.291.29

1.28

1.25

1.27 1.27

1.30 1.301.31

1.301.30 1.30

1.32

1.351.34

1.32

1.36

1.34

1.32

1.30

1.28

1.26

1.24

1.22

1.20

Num

ber o

f ins

emin

atio

ns

Season

1.34

0%

2010/11

2011/12

2009/10

2008/09

2012/13

20%

26.7 6.2 10.0 16.5 20.4 20.1

28.3 6.7 10.7 14.6 21.4 18.3

27.4 6.0 12.0 15.4 21.3 18.0

31.5 5.7 7.6 15.0 21.2 19.0

40% 60% 80% 100%

Ayrshire Jersey Holstein-Friesian Ayrshire crossbreedHolstein-Friesian/Jersey Other

Seas

on

27.8 5.5 8.8 16.7 20.6 20.6


Graph 4.7: Crossbreed semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last fi ve seasons

Graph 4.8: Jersey semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last fi ve seasons

Graph 4.9: Holstein-Friesian semen usage (%) over cow breed for the last fi ve seasons

0%

2010/11

2009/10

2008/09

2012/13

2011/12

20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Jersey Holstein-Friesian Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Ayrshire crossbreed Other

19.46.5 40.7 5.5 28.0

20.97.0 39.9 5.4 26.7

22.47.5 39.1 5.2 25.8

15.06.1 43.1 5.5 30.3

16.86.2 42.1 5.7 29.2

Seas

on

Jersey Holstein-Friesian Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Other

2010/11

2009/10

2008/09

2012/13

2011/12

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

41.53.6 26.3 28.6

44.23.8 24.7 27.3

35.83.1 28.4 32.8

37.13.3 27.8 31.9

39.23.5 26.7 30.7

Seas

on

0%

2009/10

2008/09

2012/13

2011/12

2010/11

20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Jersey Holstein-Friesian Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Ayrshire crossbreed Other

16.035.7 21.8 22.34.2

17.735.2 21.9 21.14.2

19.434.6 21.6 20.4

12.236.0 21.5 23.34.3

14.036.9 22.0 22.84.3

Seas

on

4.0


The percentage of inseminations for each major breed (Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Crossbreed, and Ayrshire) as recorded on the LIC National

Database is shown in Graph 4.10. The percentage of inseminations for Holstein-Friesian increased to 55%, while inseminations for the Jersey

breed continues to decline (now at 16%). The percentage of inseminations for crossbreed (shown since 2000/01) increased to 26%.

Graph 4.10: Trend in the percentage of inseminations of each major breed for the last 40 seasons

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

1973

/74

1974

/75

1975

/76

1976

/77

1977

/78

1978

/79

1979

/80

1980

/81

1981

/82

1982

/83

1983

/84

1984

/85

1985

/86

1986

/87

1987

/88

1988

/89

1989

/90

1990

/91

1991

/92

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

/12

2012

/13

Perc

enta

ge o

f ins

emin

atio

ns

Season

Ayrshire Holstein-Friesian Jersey Crossbreed


D. Herd ReproductionReproductive performance is a key determinant of farm productivity. The 6-week in-calf rate is the best overall measure of herd reproductive

performance and is used to compare performance between herds and to monitor national performance.

The not-in-calf rate at end of mating is important at a herd level, but is not suitable for comparison between herds due to differences in length

of mating period.

Actual 6-week in-calf rate (Detailed Fertility Focus Reports) is calculated for herds with suffi cient early aged pregnancy test records (at least

80% of cows in the herd, and at least 80% of all pregnancy test results are less than or equal to 17 weeks pregnant, or non-pregnant).

The 6-week in-calf rate for herds without suffi cient early aged pregnancy test records is estimated from calving and mating data (Intermediate

Fertility Focus Reports).

The statistics in this section are for LIC MINDA recording herds only.

There has been a trend towards more early aged pregnancy testing and thus more actual results are available from Detailed Fertility Focus

Reports, since the launch of the DairyNZ InCalf programme in 2008/09. The number of herds with detailed reports has increased from 354 in

2008/09 to 2,331 in 2012/13 (Table 4.9).

The mean actual 6-week in-calf rate has increased from around 63.5% in 2008/09 to 2010/11, to 66.5% in 2012/13. The mean estimated

6-week in-calf rates are 1-3% lower, but a similar trend for improvement is evident.

The mean 3-week submission rate and mean conception rate have also increased, mostly between 2010/11 and 2011/12. Conception rates are

not available for Intermediate Fertility Focus Reports.

Table 4.9: Mean herd reproductive performance since 2008/09

Mating season Actual Estimated

Number of herds Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)

Mean 3-week submission rate (%)

Mean conception rate (%)

Number of herds Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)

Mean 3-week submission rate (%)

2008/09 354 63.4 78.5 50.1 4,872 62.1 72.7

2009/10 712 63.5 77.5 51.0 4,749 61.6 72.2

2010/11 1,190 63.6 77.9 50.5 4,707 61.6 72.0

2011/12 1,684 66.1 80.0 52.3 4,692 63.0 74.5

2012/13 2,331 66.5 81.0 52.9 4,465 64.2 76.6

Graph 4.11: Mean actual and estimated six-week in-calf rate since 2008/09

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

67

66

65

64

63

62

61

60

59

Mea

n 6-

wee

k in

-cal

f rat

e

Season

Actual 6-week in-calf rate Estimated 6-week in-calf rate


Mean actual 6-week in-calf rate ranged between 63.2% (Northland / Auckland) and 69.7% (Taranaki) in 2012/13 (Table 4.10). Mean

estimated 6-week in-calf rates ranged between 60.6% for Northland / Auckland, and 65.4% for Waikato / Western Uplands in 2012/13.

Table 4.10: Mean six-week in-calf rate by farming region for the last three seasons

Farming region Actual Estimated

2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Number of herds

Mean 6-week

in-calf rate (%)

Northland / Auckland 40 59.9 55 63.4 101 63.2 386 57.6 419 59.1 390 60.6

Waikato / Western Uplands 418 63.9 481 67.6 654 68.2 1,402 61.3 1,397 63.9 1353 65.4

BoP / Central Plateau / East Coast 93 63.3 130 65.7 183 66.0 415 61.4 421 63.3 390 64.9

Hawkes Bay / Manawatu / Wairarapa 110 61.0 159 64.4 235 64.3 440 59.2 429 60.8 388 61.6

Taranaki 55 66.3 106 67.0 173 69.7 995 63.0 1,000 63.7 972 65.1

West Coast / Nelson / Marlborough 22 65.1 33 70.7 62 68.5 280 63.6 306 63.4 281 63.7

North & South Canterbury 206 63.7 365 66.0 458 66.0 358 63.6 292 64.6 273 64.4

Otago / Southland 246 64.0 355 64.9 465 65.0 431 63.0 428 63.0 418 63.2

In 2012/13, 50% of herds had an actual 6-week in-calf rate of 67% or higher and 10% had an in-calf rate of 76% or higher (Table 4.11). Ten

per cent of herds had an in-calf rate of 56 or lower.

Table 4.11: Actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13

Number of herds Median Top 10% Top 25% Bottom 25% Bottom 10%

6-week in-calf rate 2,331 67 > 76 > 72 < 62 < 56

Graph 4.12: Distribution of actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13

< 40

40 -

45

45 -

50

50 -

55

55 -

60

60 -

65

65 -

70

70 -

75

75 -

80

80 -

85

85 -

90

> 90

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Actual 6-week in-calf rate (%)

< 40

40 -

45

45 -

50

50 -

55

55 -

60

60 -

65

65 -

70

70 -

75

75 -

80

80 -

85

85 -

90


The distribution of estimated 6-week in-calf rates is tighter than the actual results refl ecting that estimates tend towards the mean. This is

because estimates for low performing herds tend to be overestimated while estimates for high performing herds tend to be underestimated. In

2012/13, 50% of herds had an estimated 6-week in-calf rate of 65% or higher and 10% of these herds had an in-calf rate of 72% or higher

(Table 4.12). Ten per cent of herds had an in-calf rate of 55% or lower.

Table 4.12: Estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13

Number of herds Median Top 10% Top 25% Bottom 25% Bottom 10%

6-week in-calf rate 4,465 65 > 72 > 69 < 60 < 55

Graph 4.13: Distribution of estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2012/13<

40

40 -

45

45 -

50

50 -

55

55 -

60

60 -

65

65 -

70

70 -

75

75 -

80

80 -

85

85 -

90

> 90

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Estimated 6-week in-calf rate (%)

< 40

40 -

45

45 -

50

50 -

55

55 -

60

60 -

65

65 -

70

70 -

75

75 -

80


E. Calving

i) Planned start of calving and median calving dates

The trend in calving dates within and between regions is best shown by the “planned start of calving” date. The planned start of calving date

is 282 days from the date that mating is started in the herd. The farmer has control over, and the ability to change, the start of mating.

Mating and calving information is recorded on the LIC Database for approximately 85% of all herds.

Calving spread can be controlled to some degree by farm management (for example, cow condition score at calving, level of nutrition in the

four to six weeks prior to mating, and the use of CIDR devices and other reproductive technology). The actual start of calving can be

meaningless, since the fi rst calving in a herd can be premature, occurring well before the rest of the herd calves. Hence the median calving

date (the date that occupies the middle position after the dates are arranged in ascending order) is used as an indicator of actual calving

spread.

The forecast planned start of calving and actual median calving dates for cows (excluding fi rst calvers) for the 2012/13 season are shown in

Graph 4.14.

Graph 4.14: Planned start of calving and median calving dates for cows (excluding fi rst calvers) by region

The planned start of calving for fi ve-yearly intervals since 1998/99 is shown in Graph 4.15. The trend is for a similar or slightly later planned

start of calving compared with fi ve years ago, but still earlier than 10 or 15 years ago.

Northland Waikato Bay of Plenty/East Coast

Taranaki Manawatu/Wairarapa

Tasman/Westland

Marlborough/Canterbury

Otago/Southalnd

30 Aug

20 Aug

10 Aug

31 Jul

21 Jul

11 Jul

1 Jul

Dat

e

Region

Planned start of calving 2013/14 Median calving 2012/13


Graph 4.15: Trend in planned start of calving dates for cows (excluding fi rst calvers) by region

ii) Calving interval

The calving interval for a herd tested cow is the number of days between her calving date in the current season and her calving date in the

preceding season. No interval is calculated for fi rst-calving heifers. The average calving interval is based on all recorded calving dates for herd

tested cows calving during the period from 1 June to 30 November. All records where pregnancy terminated prematurely or resulted in

abortion or were induced, were excluded.

Table 4.13: Mean calving interval by breed since 2000/01

All breeds Holstein-Friesian Jersey Friesian/Jersey Cross Ayrshire

season Average number of

days

Number of records

Average number of

days

Number of records

Average number of

days

Number of records

Average number of

days

Number of records

Average number of

days

Number of records

2000/01 368.2 2,075,300 368.4 1,120,489 368.4 355,463 367.7 491,090 369.3 25,941

2001/02 368.3 2,093,134 368.7 1,091,334 367.8 363,278 367.7 526,610 369.7 25,572

2002/03 368.4 2,109,651 368.6 1,068,842 368.3 365,913 368.0 562,974 369.4 24,175

2003/04 369.0 2,181,103 369.4 1,067,677 368.2 375,598 368.6 620,523 368.9 23,642

2004/05 369.5 2,210,747 370.1 1,040,243 368.8 383,759 369.0 666,562 370.6 23,169

2005/06 367.8 2,241,175 368.2 1,013,546 367.7 390,971 367.4 706,441 368.2 23,129

2006/07 368.9 2,260,512 369.3 1,002,099 369.0 387,357 368.2 739,493 370.4 22,785

2007/08 369.9 2,349,042 370.4 985,422 369.7 366,954 369.5 853,422 371.0 21,239

2008/09 370.1 2,359,392 371.0 953,577 368.9 359,509 369.5 891,949 371.9 19,948

2009/10 368.7 2,477,122 369.1 972,118 368.3 361,329 368.5 980,435 369.3 16,745

2010/11 368.6 2,628,672 369.2 1,000,637 368.2 364,664 368.2 1,088,976 370.5 19,719

2011/12 368.3 2,807,333 368.5 1,030,006 368.0 370,877 368.2 1,213,169 369.1 20,164

Waikato Bay of Plenty/East Coast

Taranaki Manawatu/Wairarapa

Tasman/Westland

Marlborough/Canterbury

Otago/Southland

Dat

e

Region

1998/99 2003/04 2000/09 2013/14

14 Aug

9 Aug

4 Aug

30 Jul

25 Jul

20 Jul

15 Jul

10 Jul

5 Jul

30 JunNorthland


F. Animal Evaluation

The genetic merit of New Zealand dairy cows and sires is estimated using statistical methods which allow simultaneous evaluation of cows and

sires of all breeds, using all recorded relationships. The structure of the national herd reveals large numbers of crossbred cows, and large

numbers of herds with mixed breeds. For this reason the national evaluation system is designed to compare animals irrespective of breed, both

nationally and within herd, to assist farmers in selecting the most profitable animals for the future.

There are two types of evaluation calculated for New Zealand dairy animals:

1. Trait evaluations are estimates of an animal’s genetic merit (Breeding Values) and lifetime productive ability (Production Values) for

individual traits including milkfat, protein, volume, liveweight, somatic cell, fertility and residual survival.

2. Economic evaluations combine an animal’s individual trait evaluations to estimate its comparative ability to convert feed into profit, through

breeding replacements (Breeding Worth) and lifetime production (Production Worth).

For each economic index, Economic Values are calculated for the relevant traits. For Breeding Worth, the Economic Values represent the net

income per unit of feed from breeding replacements with a one unit genetic improvement in the trait. For Production Worth, the Economic

Values represent the net income per unit of feed from milking cows with a one unit improved productive ability in the trait. In each case the

base unit of feed is 5 tonnes of dry matter in average quality pasture.

The profit-related traits are combined into a single economic index. For example:

Breeding Worth = Milkfat BV x $EV (Milkfat) +

Protein BV x $EV (Protein) +

Milk BV x $EV (Milk) +

Liveweight BV x $EV (Liveweight) +

Somatic Cell BV x $EV (Somatic cell) +

Fertility BV x $EV (Fertility) +

Residual Survival BV x $EV (Residual Survival)

where: BV = Breeding Value for each trait $EV = Economic Value for each trait for breeding replacements

Animal Evaluation ranks animals in terms of their expected profit per unit of feed eaten. Breeding Worth (BW) and Production Worth (PW) are

based on historical and future price predictions for milk components.

The economic values for 2013 are presented below (Table 4.14). The economic values are reviewed annually and therefore may change from

year to year.

Table 4.14: Economic values used from 16 February 2013

Milkfat ($/kg) Protein ($/kg) Milk ($/kg) Liveweight ($/kg) Somatic Cell ($/score)

Fertility ($/%) Residual Survival ($/day)

Breeding Worth 1.79 8.63 -0.091 -1.52 -38.57 7.35 0.148

Production Worth 1.79 8.63 -0.089 -1.52 - - -

The information for all Animal Evaluation statistics was sourced from cows and sires recorded on the LIC National Database as at 11 May 2013.

The evaluations were conducted with reference to a genetic base of cows born in 2000.

Table 4.15 shows the Breeding Values (BV) and Breeding Worth (BW) by breed, of all bulls born in 2008 first proven in the 2012/13 season

with a BW Reliability of 75% or greater. Reliability of BW is reported on a scale from 0% to 99%. 0% is the case where there are no

performance records for any related animal used in the bull’s evaluation. 99% is the case where the bull has a very large number of

performance-recorded daughters.


Table 4.15: Average Breeding Values and Breeding Worth of 2008 born bulls (reliability of 75% or greater)Breed Milkfat BV Protein BV Milk

Volume BVLiveweight

BVSomatic Cell

BVFertility BV Residual

Survival BVBW Number of

Bulls

Ayrshire 10.0 12.1 401.8 14.7 0.0 -8.0 178.8 31.2 6

Holstein Friesian 24.5 29.1 828.8 46.1 0.1 -0.4 33.4 148.5 123

Jersey 9.1 -1.0 -475.7 -47.9 0.0 2.6 19.9 145.2 95

Holstein Friesian Jersey Cross 20.2 14.3 135.2 -7.2 -0.1 1.3 -11.8 168.9 62

(Evaluation date: 11 May 2013)

The genetic trend of proven dairy bulls is shown in Graph 4.16. Bulls born in 2008 are first proven in the 2012/13 season.

Graph 4.16: Genetic trend of proven dairy bulls by year of birth (reliability of 75% or greater)


Young bulls are initially selected for use in Artificial Breeding based on the genetic merit of their sire and dam and/or through genomic

estimates of genetic merit. These young sires are then progeny tested to estimate their Breeding Worth more accurately via the performance of

their daughters. Each year some progeny tested bulls are returned to service for use as proven sires.

Table 4.16 shows the number of sires, by birth year and breed, for which the Reliability of the BW was at least 75%. The information in this

table is updated every year for all age groups to include older bulls that have now been proven in New Zealand.

Table 4.16: Number of Sires by birth year and breed (reliability of BW 75% or greater, includes overseas bulls)

Year of Birth Number of Sires Holstein-Friesian Jersey Holstein Friesian Jersey Cross

Ayrshire Other Breeds

1998 463 270 153 6 30 4

1999 452 244 142 23 36 7

2000 533 288 137 67 34 7

2001 533 259 160 74 32 8

2002 523 265 160 73 22 3

2003 503 251 147 69 35 1

2004 509 248 144 91 25 1

2005 475 217 149 94 13 2

2006 478 222 153 82 19 2

2007 286 145 90 41 10 0

2008 286 123 95 62 6 0


1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

200

150

100

50

0

-50

-100

-150

Bree

ding

Wor

th ($

)

Year of birth

Holstein-Friesian Jersey Ayrshire Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Cross


<-30

-30

- -20

-20

- -10

-10

- 0

0 - 1

0

10 -

20

20 -

30

30 -

40

40 -

50

50 -

60

60 -

70

70 -

80

80 -

90

90 -

100

100

- 110

110

- 120

120

- 130

130

- 140

140

- 150

150

- 160

160

- 170

170

- 180

180

- 190

190

- 200

>200

16

12

8

4

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Herd PW ($)

-30

- -20

-20

- -10

0 - 1

0

10 -

20

20 -

30

30 -

40

40 -

50

60 -

70

70 -

80

80 -

90

90 -

100

100

- 110

110

- 120

120

- 130

180

- 190

130

- 140

190

- 200

140

- 150

>200

150

- 160

160

- 170

The Breeding Worth for herds presented below (Table 4.17 and Graph 4.17) is based on cows of the users of herd testing services, in herds

with at least 80 cows, in the 2012/13 season. Table 4.12 shows that 50% of these herds had a BW of 89 or above and 25% of these herds

had a BW of 106 or above.

Table 4.17: Herd Breeding Worth in 2012/13

Median Top 5% Top 10% Top 25% Bottom 25% Bottom 10% Bottom 5%

Herd BW 89 > 128 > 119 > 106 < 66 < 41 < 23


Graph 4.17: Distribution of Herd Breeding Worth in 2012/13


The Production Worth (PW) for herds presented below (Table 4.18 and Graph 4.18) is based on cows of the users of herd testing services, in

herds with at least 80 cows, in the 2012/13 season. Table 4.18 shows that 50% of these herds had a PW of 107 or above and 25% of these

herds had a PW of 130 or above.

Table 4.18: Herd Production Worth in 2012/13


Herd PW 107 > 162 > 149 > 130 < 82 < 56 < 38


Graph 4.18: Distribution of Herd Production Worth in 2012/13


<-40

-40

- -30

-30

- -20

-20

- -10

-10

- 0

0 - 1

0

10 -

20

20 -

30

30 -

40

40 -

50

50 -

60

60 -

70

70 -

80

80 -

90

90 -

100

100

- 110

110

- 120

120

- 130

130

- 140

140

- 150

>150

20

15

10

5

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Herd BW ($)

-40

- -30

-30

- -20

-20

- -10

-10

- 0

0 - 1

0

10 -

20

20 -

30

30 -

40

40 -

50

60 -

70

70 -

80

80 -

90

90 -

100

100

- 110

120

- 130

130

- 140

140

- 150

>150


The Breeding Worth (BW) for cows presented below (Table 4.19 and Graph 4.19) is based on all cows of the users of herd testing services, in

herds with at least 80 cows, and signed up for herd testing in the 2012/13 season. Table 4.19 shows that 50% of these cows had a BW of 87

or above and that 25% of these cows had a BW of 122 or above.

Table 4.19: Cow Breeding Worth in 2012/13


Cow BW 87 > 166 > 150 > 122 < 46 < 10 < -14


Graph 4.19: Distribution of Cow Breeding Worth in 2012/13


The Production Worth (PW) for cows presented below (Table 4.20 and Graph 4.20) is based on cows of the users of herd testing services, in

herds with at least 80 cows, in the 2012/13 season. Table 4.20 shows that 50% of these cows had a PW of 110 or above and that 25% of

these cows had a PW of 172 or above.

Table 4.20: Cow Production Worth in 2012/13


Cow PW 110 > 274 > 233 > 172 < 44 < -21 < -65


Graph 4.20: Distribution of Cow Production Worth in 2012/13


<-80

-80

- -60

-60

- -40

-40

- -20

-20

- 0

0 - 2

0

20 -

40

40 -

60

60 -

80

80 -

100

100

- 120

120

- 140

140

- 160

160

- 180

180

- 200

100+

15

10

5

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Cow BW ($)

-80

- -60

-60

- -40

-40

- -20

-20

- 0

0 - 2

0

20 -

40

40 -

60

60 -

80

80 -

100

100

- 120

120

- 140

140

- 160

160

- 180

180

- 200

100+

<-12

0

-120

- -9

0

-90

- -60

-60

- -30

-30

- 0

0 - 3

0

30 -

60

60 -

90

90 -

120

120

- 150

150

- 180

180

- 210

210

- 240

240

- 270

270

- 300

300

- 330

330+

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

Perc

enta

ge o

f her

ds

Cow PW ($)

<-12

0

-120

- -9

0

-90

- -60

-60

- -30

-30

- 0

0 - 3

0

60 -

90

90 -

120

120

- 150

180

- 210

210

- 240

240

- 270

300

- 330

330+


The genetic trend for cows is based on all cows (alive or dead) recorded on the Livestock Improvement National Database in the 2012/13

season. Also included are the estimated BW and PW for replacement stock (2011 and 2012 born animals). All evaluations can be compared

across breeds. The genetic trend for BW by breed is presented in Graph 4.21. The Breeding Worth for all breeds has increased over time.

Graph 4.21: Trend in Breeding Worth for all cows


The trend for PW by breed is presented in Graph 4.22. Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreds have maintained a higher PW over other breeds,

caused by the effects of heterosis (hybrid vigour) in the crossbreds.

Graph 4.22: Trend in Production Worth for all cows


Prod

uctio

n W

orth

($)

Year of Birth

Holstein-Friesian Jersey Ayrshire Holstein-Friesian/Jersey

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

200

150

100

50

0

-50

-100

-150

150

100

50

0

-50

-100

-150

Bree

ding

Wor

th ($

)

Year of Birth

Holstein-Friesian Jersey Ayrshire Holstein-Friesian/Jersey

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012


Table 4.21 shows the average BVs and BW by breed, of all 2010 born cows. The Holstein-Friesian/Jersey cows had the highest average BW at

104.8. Holstein Friesian cows had the highest milkfat, protein, and milk volume BVs. All evaluations are comparable across breeds.

Table 4.21: Average Breeding Worth and Breeding Values of all cows born in 2010 by breed.

Breed BW$ Milkfat BV (kg)

Protein BV (kg)

Milk Volume BV (l)

Liveweight BV (kg)

Somatic Cell BV (score)

Fertility BV (%)

Residual Survival BV

(days)

Cow Numbers

Holstein-Friesian 95.3 16.3 19.1 551 32.1 0.04 0.1 -25 377,216

Jersey 99.8 4.6 -4.0 -475 -45.6 0.02 1.9 3 121,118

Ayrshire -5.9 -3.5 1.9 83 5.3 -0.22 -4.0 144 7,475

Holstein-Friesian /Jersey 104.8 12.0 8.9 82 -3.8 0.00 1.6 -21 485,508

Guernsey -173.1 -22.2 -14.7 -410 14.5 -0.01 -3.3 35 102

Milking Shorthorn -129.0 -23.0 -12.1 -306 8.3 -0.11 -2.0 107 361

Brown Swiss -165.3 -20.3 -7.2 -223 35.3 -0.19 -9.4 182 84

Other 73.6 7.2 6.9 76 -0.7 -0.05 0.1 19 54,085

Weighted Average 98.3 12.3 10.9 186 4.5 0.01 1.0 -16 1,045,949

Survivability is measured by the percentage of cows that have a lactation recorded for consecutive years. In the 2012/13 season, the value in

the “2-3 years” column is the percentage of cows that were milking as two-year-olds in the 2011/12 season and are now milking as

three-year-olds in the 2012/13 season. Table 4.22 shows that for the 2012/13 season the highest percentage of survival is in animals aged 3-4

years (89.2%), followed by animals aged 4-5 years (87.9%) and 2-3 years (87.6%).

Table 4.22: Survivability percentages since 1996/97

Percentage (%) of age group surviving to next lactation

Season 2-3 years 3-4 years 4-5 years 5-6 years 6-7 years 7-8 years 8-9 years

1996/97 84.9 85.1 84.8 81.6 78.2 74.2 69.0

1997/98 85.9 86.7 85.6 81.9 77.7 73.9 68.3

1998/99 84.5 86.1 85.8 83.0 80.0 75.5 70.5

1999/00 84.1 86.2 85.8 82.8 80.7 76.3 70.8

2000/01 85.3 86.7 86.5 83.2 80.1 76.5 71.7

2001/02 85.6 88.4 86.8 84.3 80.8 77.1 73.5

2002/03 85.7 85.9 86.6 83.8 80.8 76.0 71.2

2003/04 85.2 86.9 86.0 83.0 78.7 74.8 69.4

2004/05 85.7 87.3 86.7 82.7 79.7 74.6 69.6

2005/06 85.0 87.5 87.6 84.2 79.7 76.7 70.6

2006/07 84.8 87.8 88.2 84.7 79.5 74.9 71.2

2007/08 84.0 87.6 87.2 84.1 80.0 74.9 69.5

2008/09 86.8 87.7 87.5 83.4 80.2 76.1 70.7

2009/10 87.0 87.2 86.3 82.2 77.6 72.9 67.3

2010/11 86.2 87.2 86.0 81.1 76.8 71.2 65.7

2011/12 87.3 87.7 86.8 81.5 76.8 72.2 65.6

2012/13 87.6 89.2 87.9 82.7 77.9 71.6 66.1


5. Prices received

A. Milk pricesUp until the end of the 2000/01 season, dairy farmers received payment from the New Zealand Dairy Board through a system of advance and

final payouts via dairy companies. Seasonal supply dairy companies passed on the Dairy Board advance payout to their suppliers, in addition to

a margin based on dairy company efficiency, product mix and investment policies; together known as the total payout.

The introduction of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 opened the way for New Zealand’s largest dairy companies, Kiwi Co-operative

Dairy Company (Kiwi) and New Zealand Dairy Group (NZDG) to merge with the Dairy Board to form Fonterra. Further, the Act allowed the

smaller dairy companies, such as Tatua and Westland, to become separate co-operatives. Consequently, the historic payment system became

redundant. Tatua and Westland have now established commercial arrangements for sale of dairy products.

Payments to seasonal supply farmers are based on the “A+B±C” system, which incorporates payments for milkfat (A) and protein (B) with

adjustments for milk volume (C). The payment system for suppliers to town supply dairy companies varies between companies. Some town

supply payment systems are based on the milk volume only, whereas other payment systems are similar to seasonal supply payment systems,

which incorporate components of milkfat, protein, and volume.

• Average nominal dairy co-operative payout of $6.18 down on last season

The weighted average dairy company total payout (per kilogram of milksolids) received by dairy farmers from seasonal supply dairy companies

is shown in Table 5.1 (weightings are based on the number of herds supplying each dairy company). The average payout is given in both

nominal and inflation adjusted dollars using the Consumers Price Index. The average dairy company payout of $6.18 per kg milksolids in

2012/13 was down on last season and was the second lowest since 2007/08.

Table 5.1: Trend in prices received for milksolids for the last 20 seasons

Season Average Dairy Company total payout ($/kg milksolids)

Dairy Company payout (inflation adjusted)a

1993/94 3.32 5.13

1994/95 3.40 5.02

1995/96 3.99 5.78

1996/97 3.63 5.20

1997/98 3.42 4.81

1998/99 3.58 5.06

1999/00 3.78 5.23

2000/01 5.01 6.72

2001/02 5.35 6.99

2002/03 3.66 4.71

2003/04 4.25 5.34

2004/05 4.58 5.60

2005/06 4.10 4.83

2006/07 4.46 5.14

2007/08 7.67 8.51

2008/09 5.14 5.59

2009/10b 6.37 6.82

2010/11b 7.89 8.02

2011/12b 6.40 6.44

2012/13b 6.18 6.18

a Weighted to give real dollar values using the Consumers Price Index for the end of the June quarter. Sourced from Statistics New Zealand; Excludes dairy company retentions and deduction for DairyNZ Levy.b Average dairy co-operative payout (Fonterra, Tatua, Westland)


Graph 5.1: Trend in milksolids payout to dairy farmers for the last 30 seasons

B. Dairy farm land prices

• Dairy farm land prices have been relatively steady for the past two seasons

Prior to 2011/12 table 5.2 used data from Quotable Value (QV) on a calendar year. Dairy farm land sales are now based on data provided by

the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) on a seasonal basis. Raw data provided by REINZ have been weighted by the number of farms

in each region. The farms sold are considered to be economic units.

The weighted average sale price of dairy farms ($4.58 million) increased 1.0% in 2012/13 (Table 5.2). The weighted average sale price per

hectare of $32,311 is similar to the previous season.

Table 5.2: Trend in dairy land sale values since 2009/10

Season Number of dairy farms

sold

Weighted average sale

price ($)

Inflation adjusted

average sale price ($)

Weighted average land

area (ha)


price/ha ($)

Inflation adjusted

average sale price/ha ($)


price/kgMS ($)

CPI

2009/10 90 4,128,586 4,417,850 145 31,618 33,833 39 1099

2010/11 143 4,136,532 4,204,461 143 32,726 33,263 38 1157

2011/12 157 4,532,603 4,563,648 171 32,123 32,343 40 1168

2012/13 197 4,579,455 4,579,455 155 32,311 32,311 35 1176

Source: Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) Note: Number of dairy farms sold is for a season (01-Jun to 31-May) and excludes support blocks and non-economic units. Figures have been weighted by the number of dairy farms in each region.

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00

1983

/84

1984

/85

1985

/86

1986

/87

1987

/88

1988

/89

1989

/90

1990

/91

1991

/92

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

1996

/97

1997

/98

1998

/99

1999

/00

2000

/01

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10b

2010

/11b

2011

/12b

2012

/13b

Season

Dol

lars

Dairy company payout (inflation adjusted) Average dairy company total payout ($/kg milksolids)


6. Disease Control

A. Tuberculosis (Tb) controlControl of Tb (M. bovis) over the agricultural industry is managed by the Animal Health Board, whose primary objective is to manage Tb to

reduce the number of infected herds and to prevent Tb vector free areas becoming vector risk areas. The status of a vector area is determined

by the prevalence of wild animals (e.g., possums and ferrets) that are considered a source of infection.

Both the number of infected dairy herds (from 39 to 58) and the number of Tuberculous dairy cattle increased in 2012/13. The number of

Tuberculous dairy cattle increased 260% (from 81 to 291).

The West Coast of the South Island is the worst affected Tb area with 69% of the infected herds and 36% of the Tb dairy cattle in 2012/13.

Table 6.1: Tuberculosis (Tb) testing and results in 2012/13

Region Vector Status Number of infected Dairy herds at 30 June 2013

Number of Dairy Cattle Primary Tested in 2012/13

Number of Tuberculousa dairy cattle

Northland Free 1 95,400 75

Auckland Free 0 29,982 1

Waikato Free 2 677,987 33

Risk 1 269,962 1

Bay of Plenty Free 0 76,261 0

Risk 0 14,149 0

Gisborne Free 0 1,429 0

Hawke’s Bay Free 0 11,430 0

Risk 0 36,511 0

Taranaki Free 6 179,332 46

Manawatu/Wanganui Free 0 123,947 0

Risk 0 54,528 0

Wellington Free 0 14 0

Risk 0 92,165 0

North Island Free 9 1,195,782 155

Risk 1 467,315 1

North Island Total 10 1,663,097 156

Marlborough Free 0 10,139 0

Risk 0 3,738 0

Tasman/Nelson Free 0 37,400 0

Risk 0 23,647 0

West Coast Free 0 9,874 0

Risk 40 256,163 105

Canterbury Free 5 335,540 26

Risk 0 162,570 0

Otago Free 0 98,706 0

Risk 1 158,991 2

Southland Free 0 182,748 0

Risk 2 109,264 2

South Island Free 5 674,407 26

Risk 43 714,373 109

South Island Total 48 1,388,780 135

New Zealand Free 14 1,870,189 181

Risk 44 1,181,688 110

New Zealand Total 58 3,051,877 291

Sourced from Animal Health Board – Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2013 a Tuberculous animals include lesioned reactor cattle and lesioned cull cattle


1 Northland

Far North

Whangarei

Kaipara

2 Auckland

Rodney

North Shore

Waitakere

Auckland

Manukau

Papakura

Franklin

3 Waikato

Thames/Coromandel

Hauraki

Waikato

Matamata/Piako

Hamilton

Waipa

Otorohanga

South Waikato

4 Bay of Plenty

Western Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Whakatane

Kawerau

Opotiki

5 Central Plateau

Rotorua

Taupo

6 Western Uplands

Waitomo

Ruapehu

7 East Coast

Gisborne

Wairoa

8 Hawkes Bay

Hastings

Napier

Central Hawkes Bay

9 Taranaki

New Plymouth

Stratford

South Taranaki

10 Manawatu

Wanganui

Rangitikei

Manawatu

Palmerston North

Horowhenua

Kapiti

Porirua

Upper Hutt

Lower Hutt

Wellington

11 Wairarapa

Tararua

Masterton

Carterton

South Wairarapa

12 Nelson/Marlborough

Tasman

Nelson

Marlborough

Kaikoura

13 West Coast

Buller

Grey

Westland

14 North Canterbury

Hurunui

Waimakariri

Christchurch

Banks Peninsula

Selwyn

Ashburton

15 South Canterbury

Timaru

MacKenzie

Waimate

16 Otago

Waitaki

Central Otago

Queenstown/Lakes

Dunedin

Clutha

17 Southland

Southland

Gore

Invercargill

12 Nelson/Marlborough

Tasman

Nelson

Marlborough

Kaikoura

13 West Coast

Buller

Grey

Westland

14 North Canterbury

Hurunui

Waimakariri

Christchurch

Banks Peninsula

Selwyn

Ashburton

1

2

2

3

6 5

8

11

10

12

14

15

13

16

17

9

74

Northland

Waikato

Bay of Plenty / East Coast

Taranaki

Manawatu / Wairarapa

South Island

Appendix 1: Farming regions and districts

The following map shows the six LIC regions and the farming regions used in all analyses presented in this report. The list of districts, which

follow local authority boundaries, within each region is also given.

New Zealand Dairy Statistics

2012-13

New

Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13

Documents

New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13 New Zealand … Zealand Dairy Statistics 2012-13 5 2. National dairy statistics A. Industry statistics i) Production • 1.6% decrease in milksolids