New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows, shown through record milk production per cow and continued genetic progress.

The strength of New Zealand dairy farming is in making the most of pasture grown on farm. Refocusing on the basics, measuring covers, tracking leaf emergence, and using this to set rotation lengths, helps get the best from pasture.

For over a decade, DairyNZ has invested science, policy and farm system expertise into Waikato Plan Change 1 – helping to create practical, fair rules for farmers.

As part of its ongoing advocacy work, DairyNZ engages in cross-party discussions with ministers and MPs, and in policy discussions with key government departments on crucial issues like freshwater, climate and sector stability.

Lye Farm, one of DairyNZ’s research farms near Hamilton, uses purpose-built facilities, specialised feeding equipment, and trained cows. These facilities enable trials of new approaches under pasture-based farming conditions typical of New Zealand.

The key to sustaining profitability and competitiveness lies in productivity – choosing the right inputs, adopting new technologies, and adapting sustainable practices without compromising production.

Northland farmers at the sharp end of climate change are putting their experience and knowledge to good use, working with DairyNZ and partners to develop pasture mixes that will underpin hardy and sustainable farming systems for a changing climate.

Major dairy sector players are leading the way in developing a single, independent Breeding Worth (BW) aligned with the National Breeding Objective and incorporating genomic information.