Data released by the Dairy Company Association of NZ (DCANZ) shows 116.6 million kilograms of milksolids (kg MS) was collected by dairy companies in August 2015. This is 0.73% less than the same month last year.
When measured on a tonnage basis the reduction was slightly greater at -0.79%.
The data for the whole of NZ shows a much smaller drop in milk collections than Fonterra's figures do. Fonterra milk intakes fell by 2.5% in August.
Milk intakes for September are also expected to be below year ago levels due to the combination of poor weather and low milk prices. Poor weather limits pasture production and low milk prices make is unviable for many farming operations to purchase additional supplementary feed.