The country produced 148,177,000 kilograms of milk solids in April, up 3.1% from the year earlier month and the highest ever level recorded for the month, according to data released today by the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand.
“Weather conditions have been extremely favourable, with the warm wet conditions boosting pasture production and therefore milk production,” AgriHQ chief analyst Susan Kilsby said.
“Pasture conditions have been above average through autumn. However we did also have an exceptional autumn last season, and so expectations were that milk production would not be able to match that this year.
“Dairy farmers have been able to milk more cows later into the season than normal due to having more pasture on hand than usual.”
The New Zealand dairy season closes at the end of May and collections so far this season are 0.9% behind last season.
Fonterra Cooperative Group, the country’s dominant dairy processor, has said its milk collection this season is tracking 2% lower than last year due to difficult weather. That’s a steeper decline than for the industry as a whole, suggesting rivals have picked up more of the national milk pool.
-BusinessDesk
