SIDDC - South Island Dairying

, SIDDC - South Island Dairying

SOUTH ISLAND Dairying within the NZ DAIRY INDUSTRY

Dairy farming - NZ’s largest single industry.
96% of New Zealand’s milk production is exported.
New Zealand’s 11,400 dairy farmers work with or employ another 30,000 people on farm.
Thousands more are employed in associated businesses and in dairy factories.
Production – Over 1.27 billion kilograms of milk solids processed from 14.7 billion litres milk.
Population – NZ Average herd size 351; 11,436 herds; 4m cows (2007/08 season)
SI average herd size 526 cows; 2386 herds; 1,255,562 cows.
South Island dairy production – fastest growing, now represents over 35% of total NZ milk solids production, from 21% of NZ’s farms and 31% of NZ’s cows.
Overall the South Island has larger farms, larger herds, higher production per cow and per hectare.

(adapted from “Dairy Statistics 2007-08”, LIC)

Canterbury and Southland have been the areas of largest growth over the last 10 years.
The traditional dairying areas around the cities/large towns are experiencing land use change, primarily to lifestyle blocks. Many of these farmers are relocating their businesses to growth areas, and increasing the scale of their operation.
The South Island has a significant number of large corporate farming businesses, farm partnerships with multiple owners, and managed farms.