Dairy cattle numbers close to 6 million

The total number of dairy cattle in New Zealand continued to increase and was close to 6 million at 30 June 2010, Statistics New Zealand said today. Provisional results from the 2010 Agricultural Production Survey also showed that sheep and deer numbers have remained stable compared with 2009. The number of beef cattle decreased to under 4 million.

The national dairy herd continued to grow in 2010, up 97,500 above the 2009 figure. The growth came from a 92,800 increase in the milking herd (4.7 million in 2010). "Total dairy cattle numbers continued to expand in the past year, but the increase was lower than for 2008 and 2009," acting agricultural statistics manager Hamish Hill said. 

However, the national beef cattle number was down to 3.9 million at 30 June 2010, 4 percent fewer than in 2009. This is the first time since 1966 that the national beef herd has been estimated at under 4 million.

The provisional results also show that the national sheep flock was 32.5 million at 30 June 2010, similar to the 2009 figure. The 2010 figure is less than half the 70 million peak recorded in 1982. Deer numbers were estimated at 1.1 million, also similar to the 2009 level.

The total volume of exotic forest harvested during the year ended 31 March 2010 was 21.2 million cubic metres, up 12 percent from 2009.

Wheat harvested was 466,700 tonnes, 16 percent greater than in 2009. The area harvested increased 6 percent, to 57,200 hectares. Barley harvested decreased 28 percent, to 314,200 tonnes, while the area harvested decreased 31 percent, to 53,400 hectares.

This provisional release covers key livestock numbers, arable crops, and forestry harvesting and planting. Final results, including detailed regional statistics, will be available on 12 May 2011. The 2010 Agricultural Production Survey is a sample survey of information from farmers and foresters, and includes selected farming practices, such as fertiliser application and cultivation practices. The survey was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 
 

Highlights

At 30 June 2010:

• Dairy cattle numbers were close to 6 million, up 2 percent from 2009.
• Sheep numbers at 32.5 million were similar to those of 2009.
• Beef cattle numbers at 3.9 million were down 4 percent from 2009.
• During the year ended 30 June 2010:
• 466,700 tonnes of wheat were harvested, an increase of 16 percent from 2009.

During the year ended 31 March 2010:

• 21.2 million cubic metres of exotic timber were harvested, 12 percent more than 2009