The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
The latest New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2025/26 report, produced by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), showed the sector produced 2.02 billion kilograms of milksolids, up 4.5 percent on the previous season, from 21.8 billion litres of milk, up 3.5 percent.
The record also reflected a significant long-term improvement in milk composition.
Milksolids increased from 8.48 percent of milk in 2000/01 to 9.27 percent in 2025/26, making every litre more valuable to transport and process. At today’s milk volume, the 2000/01 solids percentage would have produced about 171 million fewer kilograms of milksolids.
Meanwhile, the number of herds fell by 102 to 10,268, while overall cow numbers increased by just one percent to 4.72 million.
DairyNZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker said the results reflect farmers’ continued focus on improving on-farm performance and producing high-quality milk.
“Surpassing two billion kilograms of milksolids is a significant milestone for New Zealand dairy. It reflects the skill, investment and day-to-day management of farmers, alongside long-term gains in genetics, reproduction, animal health and farm systems,” said Campbell.
“The figures show productivity and milk quality moving in the right direction. This matters for the competitiveness and resilience of farm businesses and the wider dairy sector.”
The report also showed strong farmer uptake of herd improvement tools. In 2025/26, 83.3 percent of cows and 78.7 percent of herds were herd tested, the highest proportions since the early 2000s.
Herd-tested cows achieved record results for milk volume, milkfat and protein yields, and milkfat and protein percentages. The national somatic cell count also fell to a record low of 149,000 cells/mL, indicating continued improvements in udder health and milk quality.
Artificial breeding reached its highest level in three decades, with 84.8 percent of cows mated through artificial breeding in 2025/26.
LIC Chief Executive David Chin said the results show farmers are recognising the value of data and superior genetics in understanding and improving herd performance.
“Record participation in herd testing and artificial breeding gives farmers more information and more options to accelerate genetic gain. The lift in reproductive performance is particularly encouraging," said Chin.
“The six-week in-calf rate reached a record 70.2 percent across seasonal and split-calving herds, up from 63.5 percent in 2008. Strong fertility supports herd efficiency, while better-quality information helps farmers breed cows that are well suited to New Zealand’s pasture-based farming systems.”
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