New Zealand's dairy industry has achieved a historic production milestone, recording 2.02 billion kilograms of milk solids (kg MS) during the 2025–26 season, according to the latest New Zealand Dairy Statistics report published by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).
The record represents a 4.5% increase over the previous season and marks the first time national milk solids production has exceeded two billion kilograms. Total milk volume reached approximately 21.8 billion litres, up 3.5% year-on-year.
Milk Production Rises Despite Limited Herd Expansion
The latest figures highlight the growing contribution of productivity improvements to New Zealand's dairy output.
Average milk solids production per cow increased to a record 428 kg MS, compared with 414 kg MS in the previous season. Meanwhile, the national dairy cow population increased by only 1% to 4.72 million animals.
The number of dairy herds declined by 102 to 10,268, while average herd size reached 460 cows.
These figures indicate that improved production efficiency and animal performance are increasingly supporting industry growth, rather than expansion in cow numbers alone.
Higher Milk Solids Improve Processing Efficiency
Milk solids accounted for 9.27% of milk in the 2025–26 season, compared with 8.48% in 2000–01.
This long-term improvement in milk composition has significant implications for the dairy supply chain. Higher milk solids concentration means more valuable milk components can be transported and processed from each litre of milk.
DairyNZ estimates that maintaining the milk solids percentage recorded in 2000–01 at today's milk volume would have resulted in approximately 171 million fewer kilograms of milk solids.
Herd Testing Reaches Highest Levels Since Early 2000s
The latest statistics also show increased adoption of herd improvement tools across New Zealand dairy farms.
Approximately 3.94 million cows, representing 83.3% of the national dairy cow population, were herd tested during 2025–26. Herd testing covered 78.7% of herds, marking the highest participation levels since the early 2000s.
Herd-tested cows achieved record results for milk volume, milkfat and protein yields, as well as milkfat and protein percentages.
The increased use of performance data is helping farmers identify productive animals, improve breeding decisions and strengthen herd management.
Milk Quality and Reproductive Performance Improve
New Zealand's national somatic cell count (SCC) declined to a record low of 149,000 cells per millilitre during the season, indicating continued improvements in udder health and milk quality.
Artificial breeding also reached its highest level in three decades. Approximately 4 million cows, or 84.8% of the national population, were mated through artificial breeding, with a record average of 1.41 inseminations per cow.
The six-week in-calf rate reached a record 70.2% across seasonal and split-calving herds, compared with 63.5% in 2008.
According to LIC, stronger reproductive performance and better-quality herd information are supporting genetic improvement and breeding decisions suited to New Zealand's pasture-based dairy systems.
Genetics and Farm Management Drive Industry Performance
DairyNZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker attributed the record production result to farmers' investments, management capabilities and long-term improvements in genetics, reproduction, animal health and farm systems.
LIC Chief Executive David Chin highlighted the increasing value of herd testing and artificial breeding in accelerating genetic gain and improving reproductive performance.
The latest figures reinforce the importance of farm-level productivity, particularly as the industry continues to operate with a relatively stable national cow population.
Implications for Global Dairy Markets
New Zealand is one of the world's leading dairy exporters, making production trends important for international milk powder, butter and cheese markets.
The record milk solids output provides additional supply potential for dairy processors and exporters. However, the sustainability of production growth will depend on farm profitability, pasture availability, environmental constraints and weather conditions in future seasons.
For the global dairy industry, New Zealand's latest results demonstrate how improvements in genetics, fertility, animal health and milk composition can increase output without requiring proportionate expansion in herd numbers.
Source: Read full story here 02 Nov, 2026 Edited and Reported by
#NewZealandDairy #MilkSolids #DairyProduction #DairyNZ #LIC #DairyFarmers #DairyProductivity #DairyNews7x7
Never miss an important dairy update
Follow DairyNews7x7 on Google to get live milk prices, policy alerts, and daily headlines directly in your feed.
