Drought forces Kiwis to clean up dairy cattle

In November, New Zealand processors collected 2.928 million tonnes, a decrease of 2,5% compared to the same month last season and the lowest level since 2016. The decrease is striking, because since April the supply figures have always been (well) above level of last year. The spring, especially in August and September, went particularly well with favorable production conditions and high production figures.

Drought is on the rise
However, in recent weeks, drought has become increasingly a theme. Particularly on the North Island, where the majority of milk production takes place. It has been hot and dry there for some time. Temperatures have dropped in recent days, but there is no rain. There is talk of the worst drought since 2013 and water levels are record low in some places. Authorities are taking measures, causing dairy farmers to encounter irrigation bans. Although these types of measures are common in the summer months, they come very early this year.

Dairy farmer Robert Cashmore tells New Zealand media that the drought is forcing him to reorganize his livestock. He was forced to sell 150 of his 300 dairy cows and 300 of his 3.500 sheep. Colleagues are reportedly taking the same drastic measures. The roughage stocks are insufficient to cope with this period of drought. Supplies are tight on many dairy farms due to previous drought years. It was also extremely dry last year. 

Possible production record 
Despite ongoing drought, a production record for the 2020/2021 calendar year is in prospect. Over the first 11 months, production was 0,6% higher than last season. The increase is due to a higher milk yield per cow, because the dairy herd actually shrank by half a percent to 4,921 animals in recent months.