Dairy Herd Continues to Grow

NEW ZEALAND - Over the last 5 years the number of dairy cows in NZ has increased by 20.4 per cent according to the provisional results of the Agricultural census in New Zealand, allowing the country to support growing demand for dairy products, DairyCo have reported.
calendar icon 27 December 2012
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AHDB

Provisional figures for 2012 (at 30 June) show the number of dairy cows (milking or in calf) reached approximately 5.01million, a 4.2 per cent increase from 2011 agricultural survey. In the previous 2007 census there were 4.17million dairy cows (milking or in calf).

This rise has allowed NZ to increase milk supply to meet increasing international demand for dairy products. As well as growing demand, the value of dairy exports has increased with the values of powders, butter, cheese and casein all growing over the past 3 years.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (in New Zealand) forecasts the value of dairy exports to the country will continue to grow, with 2015 forecast to be 25.5 per cent higher than 2012.

The number of heifers and heifer calves up tp 1 year old is also up 7.5 per cent from 2011 to 0.93million, equating to an additional 65,000 animals. The increase in potential replacements, may allow for further increases to both herds and milk production.

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