The Big Picture

• How much milk does New Zealand produce?

  • In the year ending June 2012 New Zealand dairy companies processed 19.1 billion litres of milk.

• How many dairy cows are there in New Zealand?

  • In 2012 there were 4.6 million cows being milked.

• How many cows do farmers milk?

  • The average herd size in New Zealand is 393 (year ending June 2012)

• Is it true that herd sizes are getting bigger?

  • Yes 25% of New Zealand herds have more than 500 cows and over 490 of these herds have more than 1,000 cows (year ending June 2012).

• How much land is used by dairy farming?

  • In 2012 there were approximately 1.6 million hectares used for dairy farming.

• How much milk does a dairy cow produce?

  • On average New Zealand dairy cows produce 4,100 litres per head per year.

• Where are the majority of New Zealand dairy farms?

  • Seventy-five percent of dairy herds are in the North Island, with 34 percent in the Waikato.

• Do all farmers own their own farms?

  • In 2012 65% of dairy farmers who invest in farm businesses were owner operators. The remaining 35% have a part share or equity partnership.

• What is New Zealand's main dairy export?

  • 42% of revenue came from whole milk powder in 2012 with the rest comprising of skim milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products. Butter, AMF & cream products 20% Cheese 11% Wholemilk powder 42% Skim milk powder 12% Casein, protein products & albumins 11% Other dairy products 4% (year ended June 2012)