The Big Picture
Facts and FiguresSome of the facts and figures about the dairy industry will surprise you.
Check out some statistics here: |
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- How much milk does New Zealand produce?
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In the year ending June 2011 New Zealand dairy companies processed 17.3 billion litres of milk.
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- How many dairy cows are there in New Zealand?
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In 2011 there were 4.5 million cows being milked.
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- How many cows do farmers milk?
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The average herd size in New Zealand is 386 (year ending June 2011)
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- Is it true that herd sizes are getting bigger?
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Yes 24% of New Zealand herds have more than 500 cows and over 450 of these herds have more than 1,000 cows (year ending June 2011).
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- How much land is used by dairy farming?
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In 2010 there were approximately 1.5 million hectares used for dairy farming.
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- How much milk does a dairy cow produce?
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On average New Zealand dairy cows produce 3,800 litres per head per year.
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- Where are the majority of New Zealand dairy farms?
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Seventy-six percent of dairy herds are in the North Island, with 30 percent in the Waikato.
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- Do all owners own their own farms?
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In 2010 65% of dairy farmers who invest in farm businesses were owner operators. The remaining 35% have a part share or equity partnership.
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- What is New Zealand's main dairy export?
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37% of revenue comes from whole milk powder with the rest comprising of skim milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products.
- Butter, AMF & cream products 18%
- Cheese 14%
- Wholemilk powder 37%
- Skim milk, buttermilk powder & infant foods 16%
- Casein, protein products & albumins 12%
- Other dairy products 3% (year ended June 2010)
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