Dairy cattle emissions decreased by 1.6 per cent, the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory report showed today.
Between 2022 and 2023, total emissions from agriculture decreased 2.2 per cent. That includes a 1.6 per cent drop in dairy cattle emissions due to a fall in dairy cow numbers.
It is part of a trend which has seen methane emissions from dairy cattle decrease by 4.11% since 2017.
DairyNZ statistics show a 3.4% decrease in cow numbers - from 4.84 million in the 2021/22 season to 4.67 million in the 2022/23 season.
Average milk production per cow increased over this same period by 1.8%, up to 393kgMS from 386kgMS.
DairyNZ General Manager Farm Solutions & Policy Dr David Burger said New Zealand dairy farmers continue to work hard to improve on-farm efficiency and their environmental footprint, with the report reflecting that.
“Improved productivity in farming has enabled agricultural emissions to fall since 2014 and DairyNZ is supporting that through our dedicated programme of work focused sharply on productivity, resilience, and sustainability,” David says.
“This includes our work to advocate for fair and achievable climate targets and our research into solutions for farmers to understand and manage their emissions.”
This includes:
- Working on forage species to understand their effect on baseline methane emissions and the response to other mitigation technologies in a pasture-based system.
- Supporting different delivery mechanisms for getting methane solutions into our grazing systems.
- Working to improve the accuracy of emissions accounting, including the inventory.
- Supporting farmers to understand their on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.
DairyNZ also has a comprehensive extension programme helping dairy farmers maintain profitability while working towards environmental goals, including improving on-farm efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving freshwater and biodiversity outcomes.
“New Zealand dairy farmers are among the world’s most emissions-efficient, and research is key to helping them maintain that position,” David says.
“DairyNZ is investing in research alongside a range of partners to develop and test different mitigation solutions, ensuring they are fit for use in our pasture-based systems.
“DairyNZ supports the independent panel on methane recommendation that the 2050 target be adjusted to 14-15% to 24% instead of the 24-47% that is currently legislated.
“Our long-held position on climate targets is that they should reflect the latest science and warming impact of methane, while also considering the mitigation tools and technologies available to farmers.”
Media contact
Kahlia McNulty
Senior Corporate Communications Advisor
p: 022 854 2451
e: kahlia.mcnulty@dairynz.co.nz