Formation of DairyNZ

DairyNZ was officially formed on November 1, 2007 after farmers approved the merger of Dexcel and Dairy InSight.

2007

Policy and advocacy team

DairyNZ creates a policy and advocacy team to advance the interests of dairy farmers at a national policy level and with local and regional authorities. Since then, DairyNZ has helped prepare submissions on regional plan changes in most regions. We’re also working alongside other primary industry sectors and central government on land, water and climate change proposals to get the best deal for farmers.

2008

Healthy Hoof programme launches

Healthy Hoof programme launches– a simple approach to managing lameness on dairy farms.

Read more 2008

InCalf is created

This is a programme that offers advice for managing calves through to cows to optimise reproductive performance.

Read more 2008

Phase one of AMS project completed

DairyNZ ends the first phase of the automated milking systems project. The knowledge gained from this project supported the first commercial automatic (robotic) milking systems on farms in New Zealand.

Read more 2009

DairyNZ assists weevil control programme

With support from DairyNZ, AgResearch conducts a major release programme of a parasitoid wasp to help control clover root weevil. This biological control agent is now present in most areas of the North and South Islands.

Read more 2009

DairyNZ helps make New Zealand 'EBL Free'

New Zealand dairy industry achieves ‘EBL Free’ status in September 2009. The Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL) control scheme is the only industry-driven programme to have achieved complete control of a disease without any government intervention.

2009

Regional leaders appointed

DairyNZ changes the way it works with farmers in the field with the appointment of nine regional leaders to ensure DairyNZ’s work meets local needs. DairyNZ consulting officers run more than 1000 discussion groups each year.

Read more 2009

Facts and Figures released

The first edition of Facts and Figures is printed. This compilation of established research and practical knowledge is DairyNZ's most-requested resource

Read more 2010

DairyNZ scholarship programme turns 10

By 2017 there were 259 graduates from the programme, with 85% still involved in the agriculture industry in NZ.

Read more 2010

First DairyNZ Farmers' Forum

The first DairyNZ Farmers' Forum in May 2010 attracts more than 850 farmers and dairy industry stakeholders to the two-day event.

Read more 2010

First SMASH conferences held

First Smaller Milk and Supply Herd (SMASH) conferences are held. SMASH is designed to give smaller herd farmers a forum for sharing ideas and gaining access to specialist information. The organisation is one of many farmer-led organisations supported and funded by DairyNZ.

Read more 2011

Rosie the cow is born

Rosie, the dairy industry's cowbassador is born. By 2017 more than 21,000 children have visited a dairy farm and more than 6000 teachers in more than 1800 school have downloaded Rosie’s Education teaching resources.

Read more 2011

Dairy Connect launched in North Waikato.

DairyNZ facilitates short-term partnerships between other farmers for the purpose of information sharing. In 2017 there are more than 400 support farmers nationwide.

Read more 2011

Core Database agreement reached

The agreement between LIC and DairyNZ means that DairyNZ will also in future run the Animal Evaluation and provide Breeding Worth for sires in New Zealand on behalf and for the benefit of all dairy farmers.

Read more 2011

Forage Value Index (FVI) is created

The Forage Value Index (FVI) is created so farmers can make more informed, confident, and profitable decisions when choosing ryegrass cultivars for their pasture renewal programme.

Read more 2012

Mastitis management programme unveiled

A new dairy industry resource for managing mastitis and improving milk quality is unveiled. Known as SmartSAMM, the new online resource builds on the success of the SAMM Plan (seasonal approach to managing mastitis).

Read more 2012

Feed Conversion Efficiency trial

DairyNZ scientists, in partnership with Australian research colleagues and genetics company LIC, complete the six-year Feed Conversion Efficiency programme in 2013. The identification of the gene marker responsible for efficiently converting feed into milk means we can potentially breed cows that are up to 4 percent more efficient milk producers.

2012

New dairy farming strategy and water accord

DairyNZ lead the development of both these documents, which set the objectives for making dairy farming work for everyone.

Read more 2013

Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching

Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching begins – a collaborative, cross-sectoral study that aims to identify and evaluate potential solutions to reduce nitrate leaching for pastoral and arable farmers using a co-innovation approach to drive on-farm adoption.

Read more 2013

Genetic marker for mastitis resistance found

DairyNZ in collaboration with LIC and ViaLactia discover a genetic marker for mastitis resistance. In the future, this could lead to breeding cows that are resistant to mastitis.

2013

Theileria outbreak

DairyNZ responds to a theileria outbreak by working with other organisations to provide support and advice to dairy farmers. More farmers are now aware of theileria and how to treat it.

Read more 2013

Pillars of a New Dairy System begins

The project has two aims – to improve cow longevity (Lifetime Productivity) and reproductive performance (Fertility). In 2015, selectively bred calves were born, forming the world’s largest Animal Model Herd, a herd bred for divergence in the fertility breeding value (BV).

Read more 2013

Economic survey celebrates 50 years

DairyNZ Economic Survey celebrates 50 years as a reference compilation of key financial data for New Zealand dairy farmers.

Read more 2014

Southland Swedes studied

When swede crops appeared to be causing cow illness and deaths in Southland, a DairyNZ team is quick to get plant and animal samples to begin to understand the problem and coordinate support.

Read more 2014

DairyNZ Roster Builder launched

Farmer testing of a new online tool has resulted in the DairyNZ Roster Builder – an easy-to-use system to help farmers design effective team rosters.

Read more 2014

Caring for calves programme

DairyNZ works on an ongoing Caring for Calves programme. The programme updates farmers on regulation changes, provided training opportunities for the whole farm team and develops resources to support farmers in applying the best processes on their farms.

Read more 2015

Tactics campaign launched

DairyNZ's Tactics campaign was launched in February 2015 in response to deteriorating milk prices. The campaign is aimed at providing resources and support to dairy farmers and in 2015/16 this included specialist events, one-on-one support and the sharing of on-farm data and information.

Read more 2015

3D Dairy is launched

The DairyNZ online interactive model visualises data about dairying in New Zealand in a three-dimensional model. This is used to help educate children and adults about the dairy industry and what it contributes to New Zealand.

Read more 2015

P21 trial

Pastoral21 trials identify system management options that dairy farmers can implement now to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses by 20-40%

Read more 2015

GoodYarn workshops win award

DairyNZ GoodYarn Farmer Wellness Workshops win Best Mental Health Prevention Scheme in Australia and New Zealand.

Read more 2016

Riparian planner tool launched

The online Riparian Planner is created to help farmers create a plan that fits their farm and budget.

Read more 2016

Southern Dairy Hub work begins

Work starts on the Southern Dairy Hub which DairyNZ has invested $5 million in – once complete the facility will include a farm dairy, research office, storage facilities, barns and staff housing. This is the latest example of DairyNZ supporting regional research and demonstration to ensure information to farmers is regionally relevant.

Read more 2016

Investment in TB eradication works!

Since 1996, the number of infected dairy herds has dropped from 230 to 28 (as at 30 April 2017).

Read more 2017

The Water accord is working

The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord's third report, Three Years On, shows farmers' investments are getting great results – DairyNZ shared these results with the country.

Read more 2017

NZAEL farmer advisory panel established

New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL), a subsidiary of DairyNZ, has established a new farmer advisory panel to provide practical, farmer based feedback on animal evaluation research, development, and communication.

Read more 2017

Facts and Figures app launched

DairyNZ’s most popular farming resource has gone digital!

Read more 2017

Options for reducing N leaching investigated

Tararua Plantain Project is launched. Plantain is showing promise in supporting farmers to deliver on regulation to reduce N leaching. Building on past research the Tararua project is investigating the use of plantain in a priority catchment.

Read more 2018

Launch of The Vision is Clear

DairyNZ launches The Vision is Clear, a dairy-led national campaign to motivate all New Zealanders to play their part in improving water quality.

Read more 2018

Going into bat for farmers

DairyNZ goes into bat for farmers on proposed Government environmental reforms. Two examples were the Essential Freshwater Package and Zero Carbon Bill.

Read more 2019

Emissions Trading Scheme

After months of engagement with DairyNZ and other sector bodies, the Government announced that agriculture would not be entering the emissions trading scheme (ETS).

Read more 2019

Research wins award

A collaborative six-year programme researching how to reduce nitrate leaching on farm wins a Significant Achievement Award.

Read more 2019

What's next?

DairyNZ is looking forward to the future and helping dairy farmers to continue to adapt and thrive.

DairyNZ timeline

DairyNZ timeline

DairyNZ timeline

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