DairyBase gives Chris and Carla Staples – and their bank – the confidence that comes with having the data to back farming decisions in the short and longer term.
Inside Dairy
3 min read
Chris and Carla Staples use DairyBase to track performance, compare results with local benchmarks, and plan their pathway through the dairy system.
West Coast dairy farmers Chris and Carla Staples have made extensive use of DairyBase as part of their farm business management. Their data shows per-hectare performance above the West Coast average, with physical KPIs translating through to financial results.
“With DairyBase, we can plan more effectively for our long-term growth,” Carla explains. “The system tracks real information over time, giving us a clear picture of whether our farming decisions are delivering real results.”
In 2024/25, the Staples’ operating profit was $3,138 per hectare, compared with a district benchmark of $1,905, and their operating profit margin was 35.3% versus the benchmark’s 25.6%. A similar pattern shows up on a per-kilogram basis, with operating profit of $3.81/kgMS compared with the benchmark of $2.59/kgMS. Over the past three years, their average operating profit has sat at around $2.46/kgMS.
Their operating expenses for 2024/25 were $7.00/kgMS, compared to the benchmark of $7.53kgMS (see graph). The results reflect tight cost control and strong production efficiency, with kilograms of milksolids per cow and per hectare consistently converting into operating profit and, over time, equity growth.
That focus on performance has underpinned the Staples’ progression through the dairy system.
Starting as variable-order sharemilkers, they focused on farm performance, cost control and building equity over several seasons, before moving into herd-owning sharemilking. Consistent results, careful cashflow management and a measured approach to risk supported the transition into farm ownership, alongside their wider family and business goals.
In seasons when payouts fluctuate and costs continue to rise, strong cashflow doesn’t always tell the full story. Benchmarking helps farmers understand whether current results reflect underlying performance – and whether changes on-farm are having the intended effect.
They’ve found using DairyBase helps to identify their farm business strengths, as well as opportunities to improve, and supports more informed decision-making, Carla says.
“Being able to compare our performance in key areas like production, efficiency, profitability and cost controls against regional and national averages with benchmarking allows us to set realistic performance targets.
“It also helps give the bank confidence in our budgets, as the information is standardised, credible and easy to understand.”
Alongside their financial results, the Staples keep a close eye on DairyBase’s physical performance reports. Feed reconciliation and pasture-harvest graphs highlight trends clearly: in 2024/25, cows consumed 11.7 tDM per hectare, with 9.2 tDM harvested from pasture and crop – both above district averages.
Milksolids production per hectare has also held steady, rising from 777 kgMS/ha in 2022/23 to 829 kgMS/ha in 2023/24, and 823 kgMS/ha in 2024/25. Per-cow production sits well above the district benchmark and close to herd liveweight targets.
These figures reflect a system built around cow efficiency, pasture utilisation, and labour productivity – efficient, repeatable and designed to get the most from both cows and pasture.
These days, they use DairyBase for a quick seasonal check against the local benchmark to confirm they’re on the right track.
Whether it’s used intensively when building a business, or simply as a seasonal sense check, DairyBase helps farmers make decisions based on real performance. As more farmers take part, the benchmarks become stronger, giving everyone a clearer picture of how their business compares.
DairyBase is funded through farmers’ collective investment in DairyNZ via the milksolids levy and is available to all dairy businesses, from contract milkers through to farm owners. With more than 2,000 participants each year, that shared data underpins one of New Zealand’s most robust benchmarking datasets.
DairyBase links production, cost and profit data, helping farmers see what’s driving performance and track progress over time. It supports both day-to-day decisions and longer-term planning.
Farmers can sign up for free at dairynz.co.nz/dairybase
The DairyBase team will be at this year’s National Fieldays® to share DairyBase enhancements and new data integrations that will save farmers time.
DairyBase, DairyNZ’s longstanding benchmarking service, is being rebuilt to create a better, more intuitive experience for farmers.
The new DairyBase platform will be easier to navigate, more flexible, and better connected, with new data integrations with sector partners and improved reporting tools.
These enhancements will make it simpler to benchmark performance, spot trends and identify opportunities to strengthen your farm business. This year’s Fieldays will offer a chance to learn more about how DairyBase can benefit your business.
The DairyBase team will be on site to share upcoming enhancements, support you to link data from other organisations, and help you understand where your business sits on regional benchmarking graphs.
DairyBase doesn’t just help you strengthen your individual business – it also plays a vital role in supporting evidence-based decision-making across the dairy sector. Its comprehensive datasets inform economic benchmarking, sector analysis, and a wide range of DairyNZ research, providing a trusted, independent source of information.
This data underpins tools like the Econ Tracker, supports policy development, and helps drive practical, evidence-based decisions that benefit the sector.
Every farmer who joins DairyBase strengthens the benchmarks. The more data we have, the more accurate and valuable the insights become – helping farmers make better decisions while boosting the sector’s long-term productivity, sustainability and resilience.
For existing DairyBase members, there will be no change to the login process, and accounts will automatically switch to the new platform when it launches.
This article was originally published in Inside Dairy May-July 2026
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