New Zealand Milk Output Rising

WASHINGTON - May 24/06 - SNS -- Milk production in New Zealand rose 3% from last year to an estimated 14.9 million metric tons (MT) for the 2005-06 season, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

New Zealand's dairy herd at the beginning of the 2005-06 season has been adjusted up to 4.1 million cows and heifers in calf or milk, a 3% increase over the previous season. The 2005-06 season was negatively affected by weather conditions.

Production per cow was at a similar level to the previous season, which recorded a large drop in production from previous years. This decline in production per cow was offset by a 3% increase in cow numbers. As a result, milk production almost reached that of the record 2003-04 season.

Milk production varied across New Zealand, with the most pronounced affect in parts of the North Island. The 2005-06 season started out strong, with milk production well ahead of the previous season. But during October 2005, 2 weeks of unseasonably cold weather caused milk production to plateau soon before what should have been the season's peak flow, greatly reducing total milk production.

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