Shared success
New Zealand dairy is a great sector to work in – particularly right now. We do dairy very well due to the sector collaborating and sharing success. Words Tracy Brown.
Dairy farming today looks very different to 20 years ago; yet the basics are the same. Dairy farmers want the best for our animals, our land, our teams and the next generation, and we are incredibly successful at what we do.
The past few seasons have been very positive, with strong milk prices, increasing global demand, reducing interest rates and a tighter focus on research-led environmental outcomes.
New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows, shown through record milk production per cow and continued genetic progress.
It feels like we’re getting the basics right, and together, we deserve the success that’s coming our way.
Certainly, margins are tight on-farm, but dairy remains profitable in New Zealand. Our shared approach to research, development, investment and knowledge is a critical factor.
For the past century, Kiwi dairy farmers have collectively invested in their industry’s future, including for the past couple of decades via the DairyNZ levy.
DairyNZ is focused on ensuring the levy is our farmers’ best investment. We take a transparent approach, investing in science, research, advocacy and farm extension for our farmers. Every investment is determined on its ability to drive productivity, strengthen farm systems and compete on sustainability.
It has been reassuring to see it’s paying off. An independent report found DairyNZ’s levy-funded activities created a seven-fold return on investment for farmers in terms of value with benefits coming from productivity gains and costs avoided.
The future is bright. We’re locking in as the world’s most productive dairy farmers, embracing responsible dairy as our competitive advantage and future-proofing the way we farm.
By sharing innovation and best practice freely to increase production efficiently, DairyNZ and Kiwi dairy farmers are creating a vibrant future for the sector – one that leads the world in responsible dairy.
