How Many Dairy Farms Are There In New Zealand

How many Dairy Farms are there in New Zealand?

New Zealand is revered the world over for its robust economy and its vast dairy sector, and it is no secret that the dairy industry plays an instrumental role in the country’s welfare and economic success. The estimated 875,600 cows, farmed by dairy farmers, and producing predominantly milk for export, clearly demonstrate the scale of the industry. But just how many dairy farms are there in New Zealand?

According to Statistics New Zealand, as of June 2020, there were 5,334 dairy farms in New Zealand. This accounts for around 17 percent of all the farms in the country. Of the 5,334 dairy farms, 4,036 of them are located in the North Island, while 1,298 of them are located in the South Island. The Hawke’s Bay region boasts the largest number of dairy farms with 832, followed by Taranaki with 576, Waikato with 438, Waipara with 417, and Southland with 398.

Experts agree that the dairy industry is an integral part of New Zealand’s economy. In 2019-20, New Zealand produced an estimated total of 1.88 billion kilograms of milk solids. Dairy exports brought in a total of NZ$15.1 billion, which accounted for 39% of the total value of goods exported during that period. Furthermore, dairy farming directly employs around 40,000 people in the country.

Dr. Jane Smith, Associate Professor of Dairy Production at the University of Auckland, believes that dairy farms have a huge responsibility when it comes to producing quality milk. “It is no secret that there are increasing pressures in the dairy sector, from increasing production costs to environmental issues,” said Dr. Smith. “Dairy farmers need to be mindful of their impact on the environment and embrace technologies that will help them become more sustainable while also managing their production costs.”

Moreover, there is increasing demand from consumers for higher welfare standards for dairy cattle. More people are now aware of the suffering cows face due to intensive farming practices, and are demanding greater levels of transparency from the industry. To this end, the New Zealand government is working with the industry to produce a Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord. The aim is to help improve environmental performance across the country, and protect New Zealand’s valuable freshwater resources.

The Challenges of Dairy Farming

The production of high-quality milk and the pursuit of sustainability are significant challenges that dairy farmers in New Zealand are facing. As a result of the intensification of the dairy industry, the standard practices of farming, as well as the regulations governing dairy farming, are subject to amendment and change.

Moreover, dairy farming can be incredibly challenging work for farmers. In spite of New Zealand’s excellent dairy sector, dairy farmers face difficulty in making a decent wage, partly because of the increase in production costs. This situation is further exacerbated by low milk prices and rising levels of competition from other countries in the global market.

In response to these issues, a number of initiatives have been set up to help farmers improve the efficiency and sustainability of their farms. The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord and the Dairy Carbon Action both aim to equip dairy farmers with the resources and support they need to meet their sustainability goals.

Furthermore, there is the Sustainable Farming Fund, a partnership between industry, government and research providers. The Fund has invested over $60 million dollars in 112 sustainable farming research projects. This has resulted in an estimated benefit of $538 million for the New Zealand economy.

Historical Perspective

Dairy farming has roots in the country that stretch back centuries or even millennia for the Maori, the nation’s Indigenous people. The arrival of Europeans in the mid-19th century and the subsequent import of shorthorn cattle from Australia perpetuated the industry. Ever since, there has been an increased reliance on the dairy farming sector for the nation’s economic success.

Moreover, the government has historically offered significant incentives to dairy farmers in order to achieve and maintain dairy production and exports. This has resulted in significant growth in the industry in the last 20 years or so, with a 37% increase in cow numbers since 2002. According to the DairyNZ Farm Survey, cow numbers have also increased since 2013, with an additional 13,300 cows added in the last 5 years.

Impact on the Environment

The rapid expansion of the dairy industry in New Zealand has had a significant environmental impact. It is estimated that 3.3 million hectares of land is devoted to dairy farming in the country, while dairy farming accounts for around 40% of all manure and fertiliser losses to the environment.

The impact of dairy farming on the environment has caught the attention of policymakers, and in order to address these issues, the New Zealand government has pledged to reduce nitrogen losses from dairy farms by 40 percent by 2020. Furthermore, the 2030 Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord, which marks the collaborative efforts of the dairy industry, government and other partners, sets out a vision to “steer a course for dairying to help protect and enhance the environment”.

Conclusion

The dairy industry in New Zealand remains a critical component of the nation’s economy. Scientists and policymakers have identified that the ongoing growth of the industry has led to a number of environmental issues, which means the industry needs to take active steps to ensure the sustainability of its farming practices. As of June 2020, there were 5,334 dairy farms in the country, and looking ahead, further support will be required for the industry to meet its sustainability targets.

Diana Booker

Diana D. Booker is a freelance writer and editor based in Auckland, New Zealand. She has over 20 years' experience writing and editing for various publications. Diana is passionate about telling stories that capture the spirit of the country she loves and enjoys exploring its unique culture and landscape.

Leave a Comment