1980s and 1990s, Go Dairy - Milk Harvester Developed, 3 Million NZ Cow Population, Dairy Board Dissolved, Cooperative Dairy Companies

More than 80% of farms milked through herringbones and average herd size is 130 cows.

Labour government begins phasing out agricultural support and subsidies (SMPs).

Ruakura Milk Harvester developed – many of the features of modern day milking appear on this system.

At the start of the 1990s 7% of dairy cows are farmed in the South Island. By 1999 this has risen to 22% of the national herd.

The New Zealand Dairy Board is the world’s largest marketing network.

Amalgamations of existing operations means only 12 cooperative dairy companies remain.

The Dairy Board is dissolved with its assets transferred to the ownership of the cooperative dairy companies.

The cow population reaches 3 million with an average herd size of 308 cows.