Herd testing enables farmers to collect information about individual cows in their herds. The information gained from herd testing is vital for effective herd management and decision-making. Farmers are able to benchmark animal performance within herd, within region, and nationally.
Farmers currently have the choice of two herd testing service providers (CRV and LIC), and are able to choose the frequency of testing. Data used in the following analysis includes figures from both herd test providers.
Herd testing involves the collection of individual milk samples from animals in the herd. A full herd test provides information on milk volumes, milkfat and protein yields, and somatic cell counts.
Herd testing provides an overall picture of the production of the herd, and enables the monitoring of somatic cell count (SCC) which gives an indication of udder health. More specifically, herd test information identifies low-producing cows (for removal from the herd or drying off), high producers (for breeding), and cows with high SCC (for therapy or removal from the herd).
81% of cows were herd-tested in 2022/23
Both the percentage of total herds, and the percentage of total cows using herd testing at least once during the season, increased in 2022/23 (Table 4.1). The percentage of herds testing (76.3%) in 2022/23, was approximately 24% higher than in 2015/16 (season with the lowest percentage of herds herd-tested on record) and the highest of the last 17 seasons. A total of 3.791 million cows were herd-tested in 2022/23, a new record high. This equates to 81.1% of total cows being herd-tested.
Table 4.1: Trend in the use of herd testing services
Season
Number of herds herd-tested
Total herds
% of total herds herd-tested
Number of cows herd-tested (000)
Total cows (000)
% of total cows herd-tested
2003/04
9,772
12,751
76.6
2,842
3,851
73.8
2004/05
9,306
12,271
75.8
2,811
3,868
72.7
2005/06
9,082
11,883
76.4
2,846
3,832
74.3
2006/07
8,692
11,630
74.7
2,791
3,917
71.2
2007/08
8,405
11,436
73.5
2,871
4,013
71.5
2008/09
8,589
11,618
73.9
3,040
4,253
71.5
2009/10
7,870
11,691
67.3
2,812
4,397
64.0
2010/11
8,409
11,735
71.7
3,186
4,529
70.4
2011/12
8,673
11,798
73.5
3,362
4,634
72.6
2012/13
8,585
11,891
72.2
3,426
4,784
71.6
2013/14
8,188
11,927
68.7
3,294
4,923
66.9
2014/15
8,724
11,970
72.9
3,654
5,018
72.8
2015/16
7,316
11,908
61.4
3,030
4,998
60.6
2016/17
7,557
11,748
64.3
3,206
4,861
65.9
2017/18
8,242
11,590
71.1
3,615
4,993
72.4
2018/19
8,280
11,372
72.8
3,672
4,946
74.2
2019/20
8,212
11,179
73.5
3,689
4,922
75.0
2020/21
8,218
11,034
74.5
3,735
4,904
76.2
2021/22
8,191
10,796
75.9
3,790
4,842
78.3
2022/23
8,085
10,601
76.3
3,791
4,675
81.1
Note: From 2021/22 onwards, herds with fewer than 50 herd tested animals are no longer counted.
The trend in the percentage of total herds using herd testing shows an increase over the past seven seasons, back to the levels lsat seen in the
2005-06 season (Graph 4.1).
Graph 4.1: Trend in the percentage of herds testing
The regional uptake of herd testing services in 2022/23 is shown in Table 4.2, where the number of cows tested refers to all cows
tested at least once in the season. All regions recorded between 65 and 83 percent of herds testing, with the exception of East Coast.
Wairarapa had the highest percentage of herds using herd testing (83.4%), followed by Taranaki (81.3%). Otago had the highest percentage of cows herd tested (87.3%), followed by Taranaki (85.4%) and North Canterbury (85.2%).
Table 4.2: Use of herd testing by region in 2022/23
Region
Herds tested
Total herds
Percentage of total herds
Cows tested
Total cows
Percentage of total cows
Average herd size tested
Average herd size
Northland
497
705
70.5
183,349
231,402
79.2
369
328
Auckland
197
301
65.4
66,416
85,240
77.9
337
283
Waikato
2,276
3,020
75.4
847,429
1,057,651
80.1
372
350
Bay of Plenty
350
476
73.5
129,540
167,599
77.3
370
352
Central Plateau
334
456
73.2
190,770
262,767
72.6
571
576
Western Uplands
59
85
69.4
30,542
45,228
67.5
518
532
East Coast
4
9
44.4
1,945
5,086
38.2
486
565
Hawkes Bay
46
64
71.9
34,220
42,217
81.1
744
660
Taranaki
1,202
1,479
81.3
380,245
445,508
85.4
316
301
Manawatu
347
482
72.0
165,281
197,251
83.8
476
409
Wairarapa
306
367
83.4
121,270
142,890
84.9
396
389
Nelson / Marlborough
149
190
78.4
56,855
70,976
80.1
382
374
West Coast
249
351
70.9
99,129
139,137
71.2
398
396
North Canterbury
705
880
80.1
594,267
697,292
85.2
843
792
South Canterbury
249
313
79.6
197,130
243,235
81.0
792
777
Otago
353
437
80.8
224,900
257,577
87.3
637
589
Southland
762
986
77.3
467,367
583,694
80.1
613
592
New Zealand
8,085
10,601
76.3
3,790,655
4,674,750
81.1
469
486
Note: Table includes figures from both herd test providers.
4.2 Herd test averages
This data was extracted from the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD). Historical data has been updated correspondingly.
The lactation yield figures in this section are for herd-tested cows. Seasonal and breed averages (sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.3) are calculated on
lactation yields for herds tested four or more times during the season, and only cows that lactated for 100 days or more were included in the herd test averages. Monthly averages (section 4.2.2) are calculated on lactation yields for
herds tested at least once during the season.
These figures are different to the average milksolids figures given in Chapters 2 and 3 (national and regional dairy statistics, respectively),
which were based on all herds supplying a dairy company (regardless of whether herd testing was used) and represented the average
production per cow as supplied to the dairy company. The amount of milk production captured by herd testing also depends on the timing of the herd tests relative to the calving date and dry off date (i.e. production days in milk is greater than herd testing days in milk).
Days-in-milk (herd testing) information is the number of days from the start of lactation to the calculated end of lactation. The start of
lactation is four days from calving (with a maximum of 60 days between the estimated start of lactation and the first herd test). The
end of lactation is the last herd test date plus 15 days. Therefore, the number of days-in-milk, calculated using this method, is influenced by the timing of the herd test and does not necessarily reflect the average lactation length of dairy cows.
The days-in-milk (production) figure is the number of days from the estimated start of lactation to the estimated end of lactation
(reported since 1997/98). The results are derived from seasonal supplier tanker pick-up information (spring-calving herds). The
days-in-milk (production) methodology provides a more accurate measure of the average lactation length of dairy cows than the herd testing
methodology.
4.2.1 Seasonal averages
Southland had the highest milksolids production (kg/cow)
Southland had the highest milkfat (kg/cow)
Southland had the highest protein (kg/cow)
West Coast had the highest milkfat, protein and milksolids percentages
The average per-cow statistics for each region are summarised in Table 4.3. Southland recorded the highest figures per
cow across milk volume (5,352 litres), as well as milkfat (257 kg), protein (213 kg) and milksolids (470 kg), for cows herd tested. West
Coast recorded the highest percentage for milkfat (5.07%), protein (4.04%) and milksolids (9.11%). Herds in Southland recorded
the lowest average somatic cells (142,000 cells/ml).
Table 4.3: Season herd test averages per cow by region in 2022/23
Region
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (kg)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (kg)
Milksolids (%)
Days in milk (herd testing)
Days in milk (production)
Somatic cell count (000 cells/ millilitre)
Northland
3,571
175
4.99
137
3.88
313
8.87
226
271
215
Auckland
4,097
196
4.84
156
3.83
352
8.66
226
274
182
Waikato
4,499
217
4.90
174
3.90
391
8.80
242
281
174
Bay of Plenty
4,143
200
4.91
159
3.87
359
8.77
237
270
196
Central Plateau
4,577
219
4.85
177
3.90
396
8.75
241
277
179
Western Uplands
3,796
186
4.98
149
3.96
335
8.94
243
273
175
East Coast
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Hawkes Bay
4,332
203
4.71
167
3.88
370
8.59
228
278
244
Taranaki
4,695
233
5.03
185
3.98
418
9.00
241
273
170
Manawatu
4,862
227
4.74
186
3.85
413
8.59
237
284
204
Wairarapa
4,375
214
4.97
171
3.94
384
8.91
240
273
197
Nelson/Marlborough
4,255
207
4.94
166
3.94
373
8.88
238
271
159
West Coast
4,146
207
5.07
166
4.04
373
9.11
230
267
166
North Canterbury
5,066
242
4.84
199
3.95
441
8.79
239
285
148
South Canterbury
4,970
239
4.87
197
3.98
436
8.85
240
281
160
Otago
4,977
241
4.89
198
4.01
439
8.90
240
271
157
Southland
5,352
257
4.86
213
4.00
470
8.86
242
283
142
New Zealand
4,703
227
4.90
184
3.94
411
8.84
240
276
169
Note:
- This table is based on LIC Herd Improvement Database and CRV HT results.
- No data for the East Coast region was reported as this region had less than 5 herds contributing data.
The 2022/23 milkfat and protein lactation regional averages for herd-tested cows (Graph 4.2) show some variability in figures among
regions. Southland recorded the highest milkfat and protein per cow (257 and 113 kg respectively), followed by North Canterbury (242
and 199 kg respectively). At the other end of the scale, Northland recorded the lowest milkfat and protein per cow (175 and 137 kg
respectively), followed by Western Uplands (186 and 149 kg respectively). No data for the East Coast region was reported as this region had less than 5 herds contributing data.
Graph 4.2: Average milkfat and protein production per cow by region in 2022/23
Herd test averages for milkfat, protein and milksolids percentages are the highest recorded
Milk production (litres) per cow for 2022/23 decreased slightly compared to the previous season (Table 4.4).
The percentages of milkfat, protein and milksolids increased slightly (each by 1%) compared with 2021/22 and they were the highest on record.
The average herd somatic cell count decreased from 172,000 in 2021/22 to 169,000 cells/millilitre for 2022/23. Average
days in milk (production) was 276 in 2022/23, the highest of the last five seasons.
Table 4.4: Trend in the national herd test averages
Season
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (kg)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (kg)
Milksolids (%)
Days in milk (herd testing)
Days in milk (production)
Somatic cell count (000 cells/millilitre)
2003/04
4,083
194
4.84
149
3.69
343
8.53
234
265
211
2004/05
4,033
190
4.82
148
3.70
338
8.52
235
265
224
2005/06
4,143
195
4.79
152
3.71
347
8.51
236
266
202
2006/07
4,167
198
4.85
155
3.76
353
8.61
237
267
221
2007/08
4,081
191
4.77
151
3.73
342
8.51
231
252
236
2008/09
4,136
194
4.80
154
3.75
348
8.55
232
266
237
2009/10
4,187
198
4.82
157
3.79
355
8.61
232
260
223
2010/11
4,221
200
4.83
158
3.78
358
8.62
235
274
224
2011/12
4,513
215
4.87
171
3.83
387
8.70
240
275
199
2012/13
4,501
213
4.82
171
3.82
383
8.64
232
258
198
2013/14
4,662
221
4.83
177
3.83
398
8.66
237
266
179
2014/15
4,581
219
4.87
176
3.88
396
8.75
235
273
174
2015/16
4,587
217
4.82
176
3.87
393
8.69
237
276
180
2016/17
4,608
220
4.87
178
3.90
399
8.77
241
276
176
2017/18
4,595
219
4.86
177
3.87
396
8.72
240
274
179
2018/19
4,754
226
4.82
184
3.89
409
8.71
239
271
167
2019/20
4,784
228
4.84
186
3.92
414
8.76
238
268
168
2020/21
4,871
232
4.84
190
3.92
422
8.76
243
276
167
2021/22
4,751
228
4.86
185
3.91
412
8.77
243
274
172
2022/23
4,703
227
4.90
184
3.94
411
8.84
240
276
169
Note:
— Not available.
4.2.2 Monthly averages
Peak milk in September-October
The seasonal average figures presented in Table 4.5 are calculated from the national monthly herd test averages, and are therefore affected
by the number of samples processed. Statistics for May, June, and July are based on far fewer cows than the statistics for the other
months, as only a few herds (generally winter milk herds) test in these months. Differences in climate between regions (which in turn
can affect the mating period), available feed, and cow condition are reflected in differing months of peak production.
All cows herd tested in each month were included, provided they were tested at least once during the season (Table 4.5). Average peak
cow production occurs between August and October, with most regions peaking in September or October.
Table 4.5: Monthly herd test averages by region in 2022/23
Average litres of milk per cow per day
Region
2022 Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2023 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Season average
Northland
18.03
15.92
18.80
18.94
18.06
16.43
14.26
13.01
11.53
10.36
9.39
15.05
14.98
Auckland
19.48
20.37
19.38
20.96
20.45
18.78
15.70
15.27
12.72
12.40
11.32
16.87
16.98
Waikato
20.40
19.97
22.00
22.59
21.99
19.81
17.62
16.23
14.28
12.96
12.11
15.14
17.92
Bay of Plenty
18.23
13.26
22.32
21.72
19.82
18.80
16.87
14.66
13.28
11.09
10.58
10.81
15.95
Central Plateau
16.14
19.89
22.21
23.30
23.49
20.87
19.95
17.75
15.73
14.29
13.16
12.96
18.31
Western Uplands
9.16
10.61
24.75
20.22
19.45
18.01
15.88
13.63
12.76
11.32
10.21
9.74
14.65
East Coast
–
–
–
–
–
17.97
19.13
12.66
–
10.13
–
–
14.97
Hawkes Bay
17.88
18.57
20.38
20.57
22.39
20.21
19.74
16.98
15.72
14.73
14.77
11.63
17.80
Taranaki
18.18
21.30
22.64
23.35
23.09
21.25
19.11
17.68
15.99
14.57
13.16
14.88
18.77
Manawatu
15.93
18.96
22.34
23.15
23.42
22.27
21.18
18.44
17.27
15.57
14.56
15.44
19.05
Wairarapa
15.93
15.97
21.58
22.00
20.76
20.50
18.58
17.11
15.15
13.90
12.48
12.12
17.17
Nelson/Marlborough
13.19
13.58
–
21.38
22.99
21.37
18.81
17.46
14.63
12.41
12.12
10.54
16.23
West Coast
16.81
14.46
–
22.07
23.16
19.63
19.18
15.60
14.54
12.39
11.39
11.69
16.45
North Canterbury
18.70
18.00
21.04
24.44
24.53
23.91
21.71
19.78
18.44
16.02
14.14
13.54
19.52
South Canterbury
17.02
22.38
22.81
23.69
24.89
22.64
21.22
19.31
17.39
15.24
13.89
12.80
19.44
Otago
19.91
16.49
19.41
24.81
25.10
23.79
21.82
19.43
16.93
14.72
12.76
13.63
19.07
Southland
13.59
16.87
23.23
27.21
26.77
25.82
23.00
21.23
18.48
16.44
15.15
14.86
20.22
New Zealand
18.42
18.61
21.40
23.06
23.66
21.24
19.88
17.86
16.16
14.22
13.19
14.21
18.49
Average kg of milkfat per cow per day
Region
2022 Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2023 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Season average
Northland
0.81
0.74
0.87
0.89
0.84
0.79
0.69
0.67
0.62
0.59
0.54
0.74
0.73
Auckland
0.90
0.89
0.86
0.96
0.94
0.87
0.76
0.75
0.67
0.66
0.63
0.85
0.81
Waikato
0.96
0.93
1.01
1.04
1.00
0.93
0.83
0.80
0.74
0.71
0.69
0.79
0.87
Bay of Plenty
0.86
0.73
1.02
0.99
0.93
0.87
0.80
0.73
0.69
0.62
0.61
0.63
0.79
Central Plateau
0.82
0.87
0.93
1.04
1.04
0.94
0.93
0.85
0.79
0.75
0.72
0.71
0.87
Western Uplands
0.54
0.66
1.27
0.93
0.89
0.85
0.76
0.69
0.67
0.65
0.60
0.58
0.76
East Coast
–
–
–
–
–
0.83
0.90
0.65
–
0.60
–
–
0.74
Hawkes Bay
0.77
0.90
0.96
0.95
1.04
0.95
0.91
0.81
0.77
0.78
0.78
0.67
0.86
Taranaki
0.89
1.03
1.08
1.09
1.06
1.02
0.93
0.89
0.84
0.81
0.76
0.81
0.93
Manawatu
0.77
0.88
1.02
1.04
1.04
1.00
0.97
0.88
0.84
0.82
0.78
0.80
0.90
Wairarapa
0.81
0.77
1.05
1.01
0.97
0.96
0.89
0.84
0.78
0.77
0.71
0.68
0.85
Nelson/Marlborough
0.74
0.66
–
0.99
1.02
0.97
0.89
0.84
0.76
0.71
0.70
0.62
0.81
West Coast
1.04
0.81
–
1.02
1.05
0.94
0.91
0.78
0.79
0.70
0.70
0.69
0.86
North Canterbury
0.90
0.92
0.97
1.10
1.11
1.08
1.02
0.96
0.93
0.87
0.81
0.76
0.95
South Canterbury
0.81
1.01
1.07
1.09
1.09
1.04
0.99
0.92
0.88
0.83
0.80
0.74
0.94
Otago
1.10
0.89
0.99
1.13
1.13
1.08
1.02
0.93
0.86
0.81
0.76
0.78
0.96
Southland
0.71
0.90
1.08
1.22
1.20
1.15
1.07
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.87
0.84
0.99
New Zealand
0.87
0.88
0.99
1.06
1.07
0.98
0.94
0.87
0.83
0.78
0.75
0.78
0.90
Average kg of protein per cow per day
Region
2022 Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2023 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Season average
Northland
0.66
0.61
0.71
0.72
0.69
0.63
0.55
0.52
0.48
0.46
0.42
0.57
0.58
Auckland
0.72
0.72
0.71
0.79
0.77
0.71
0.60
0.59
0.51
0.53
0.50
0.66
0.65
Waikato
0.78
0.77
0.84
0.86
0.83
0.76
0.67
0.63
0.57
0.55
0.54
0.63
0.70
Bay of Plenty
0.72
0.57
0.83
0.81
0.74
0.71
0.63
0.57
0.53
0.48
0.48
0.49
0.63
Central Plateau
0.64
0.77
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.79
0.76
0.69
0.63
0.61
0.59
0.55
0.72
Western Uplands
0.42
0.52
0.97
0.77
0.74
0.70
0.60
0.54
0.52
0.51
0.48
0.46
0.60
East Coast
–
–
–
–
–
0.68
0.75
0.52
–
0.47
–
–
0.60
Hawkes Bay
0.69
0.76
0.81
0.78
0.86
0.78
0.76
0.67
0.62
0.63
0.63
0.52
0.71
Taranaki
0.72
0.84
0.87
0.89
0.88
0.83
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.63
0.59
0.64
0.75
Manawatu
0.63
0.74
0.84
0.86
0.88
0.84
0.80
0.71
0.68
0.66
0.63
0.64
0.74
Wairarapa
0.64
0.61
0.84
0.83
0.79
0.78
0.71
0.67
0.61
0.60
0.56
0.53
0.68
Nelson/Marlborough
0.55
0.51
–
0.82
0.87
0.81
0.72
0.67
0.59
0.54
0.56
0.49
0.65
West Coast
0.76
0.69
–
0.87
0.89
0.76
0.73
0.61
0.60
0.55
0.55
0.56
0.69
North Canterbury
0.72
0.70
0.78
0.92
0.94
0.91
0.84
0.79
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.62
0.78
South Canterbury
0.65
0.82
0.86
0.90
0.96
0.87
0.82
0.76
0.71
0.66
0.65
0.59
0.77
Otago
0.80
0.65
0.75
0.95
0.98
0.92
0.84
0.76
0.69
0.64
0.61
0.64
0.77
Southland
0.63
0.71
0.88
1.04
1.03
0.99
0.89
0.83
0.75
0.71
0.71
0.69
0.82
New Zealand
0.70
0.72
0.81
0.87
0.90
0.81
0.76
0.70
0.65
0.61
0.60
0.62
0.73
Average somatic cell count (000 cells per millilitre)
Region
2022 Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2023 Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Season average
Northland
192
262
217
171
187
187
209
253
288
294
312
262
215
Auckland
172
166
155
165
163
159
190
233
258
231
265
237
182
Waikato
193
208
180
150
154
140
163
188
203
200
211
232
174
Bay of Plenty
279
230
220
171
181
169
172
213
235
241
248
281
196
Central Plateau
148
244
263
162
168
150
176
196
198
205
210
234
179
Western Uplands
384
138
96
160
146
148
149
175
210
173
240
243
175
East Coast
–
–
–
–
–
219
179
248
–
271
–
–
205
Hawkes Bay
311
278
292
241
211
171
240
203
207
276
262
276
244
Taranaki
396
180
197
162
153
145
149
173
179
181
195
236
170
Manawatu
365
259
246
198
200
183
212
218
233
209
240
254
204
Wairarapa
269
296
259
193
189
176
184
198
230
234
242
263
197
Nelson/Marlborough
442
265
–
152
140
144
131
178
180
198
191
251
159
West Coast
246
176
–
141
132
148
141
191
186
215
207
234
166
North Canterbury
186
212
224
145
136
141
136
146
148
152
161
178
148
South Canterbury
218
173
263
153
146
150
152
159
162
165
165
173
160
Otago
156
258
248
162
144
138
143
153
161
172
177
178
157
Southland
212
212
237
140
138
141
126
158
149
162
161
155
142
New Zealand
236
228
197
158
152
150
156
180
185
191
196
207
169
Note: New Zealand values are volume weighted averages.
4.2.3 Breed category averages
Holstein-Friesian cows produce highest litres and milksolids (kg) production
Herd test statistics by breed category (Table 4.6) include herds that did four or more herd tests during the season. This data was extracted from DIGAD.
On average, Holstein-Friesian cows produced a higher volume of milk than other breeds. This season they also produced the highest
protein (193.1kg) and milksolids (421.9kg). Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Crossbreed have the highest milkfat (230.8 kg). Jerseys have the highest milkfat and protein percentages (5.62% and 4.21% respectively).
In 2022/23, the age group that produced the highest milksolids (kg) across all breeds were the five-year-olds.
Table 4.6: Herd test averages by breed category and cow age in 2022/23
Holstein-Friesian
Age
Cows tested
Days in milk
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Protein (kg)
Milksolids (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (%)
2
54,771
247
4,108
187.7
155.1
342.8
4.62
3.79
8.41
3
54,542
243
5,014
225.0
189.1
414.2
4.54
3.79
8.32
4
51,186
240
5,482
241.2
206.1
447.3
4.45
3.77
8.22
5
44,468
238
5,688
249.7
212.3
462.0
4.43
3.74
8.17
6
36,400
235
5,663
247.0
210.7
457.7
4.40
3.73
8.13
7
28,795
232
5,583
243.7
206.8
450.6
4.40
3.72
8.12
8
20,334
228
5,366
234.2
198.0
432.2
4.40
3.70
8.10
9
11,872
225
5,162
224.7
188.6
413.3
4.38
3.67
8.05
10+
13,740
220
4,752
208.6
172.1
380.7
4.42
3.63
8.05
Total
316,108
238
5,171
228.8
193.1
421.9
4.47
3.75
8.22
Jersey
Age
Cows tested
Days in milk
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Protein (kg)
Milksolids (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (%)
2
23,691
251
2,971
169.6
125.1
294.7
5.74
4.23
9.96
3
21,418
245
3,510
199.2
149.1
348.3
5.70
4.26
9.96
4
18,929
243
3,849
214.2
162.1
376.3
5.58
4.22
9.80
5
16,585
243
4,000
223.6
168.8
392.4
5.61
4.23
9.84
6
13,356
240
3,985
221.0
167.2
388.2
5.56
4.20
9.77
7
10,477
238
3,937
218.2
164.9
383.0
5.56
4.20
9.76
8
7,979
234
3,817
209.2
158.8
368.0
5.50
4.17
9.67
9
5,007
232
3,710
205.1
154.0
359.1
5.55
4.16
9.71
10+
6,293
227
3,449
188.0
141.3
329.3
5.47
4.11
9.58
Total
123,735
242
3,637
203.4
152.8
356.2
5.62
4.21
9.83
Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crossbreed
Age
Cows tested
Days in milk
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Protein (kg)
Milksolids (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (%)
2
146,616
249
3,708
188.4
148.7
337.2
5.13
4.03
9.15
3
151,705
243
4,519
224.6
180.9
405.6
5.01
4.01
9.02
4
137,102
241
4,981
241.9
197.8
439.7
4.90
3.98
8.88
5
116,098
240
5,186
252.4
204.9
457.3
4.91
3.96
8.87
6
91,820
237
5,172
250.6
203.9
454.6
4.88
3.95
8.84
7
68,237
234
5,118
248.2
200.7
448.9
4.88
3.93
8.82
8
49,872
232
4,955
241.9
194.2
436.1
4.91
3.93
8.84
9
31,566
229
4,809
233.9
186.8
420.8
4.89
3.90
8.79
10+
32,516
223
4,413
213.7
169.0
382.7
4.87
3.84
8.71
Total
825,532
240
4,701
230.8
186.1
416.9
4.96
3.97
8.93
Ayrshire
Age
Cows tested
Days in milk
Milk (litres)
Milkfat (kg)
Protein (kg)
Milksolids (kg)
Milkfat (%)
Protein (%)
Milksolids (%)
2
1,925
254
3,792
166.3
135.8
302.2
4.42
3.58
8.00
3
1,716
248
4,433
193.4
159.5
352.9
4.39
3.60
7.98
4
1,394
248
4,771
204.1
170.7
374.8
4.30
3.57
7.88
5
1,243
243
4,930
211.5
175.7
387.2
4.32
3.56
7.88
6
1,024
245
5,062
216.3
181.2
397.5
4.30
3.58
7.88
7
844
243
5,087
214.8
180.5
395.3
4.25
3.55
7.81
8
669
241
4,943
208.9
174.6
383.5
4.24
3.53
7.77
9
452
236
4,839
206.6
171.4
378.0
4.29
3.54
7.84
10+
559
231
4,469
189.3
156.9
346.2
4.26
3.51
7.77
Total
9,826
246
4,595
197.6
164.0
361.6
4.33
3.57
7.90
In the past, liveweight averages for the three main breeds have been calculated based on records in the LIC Herd Improvement
Database. From the 2021/22 season, these calculations are based on records in the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD). Breed
categorisation was also changed to match the Animal Evaluation breed classification.
Amongst the breeds shown in Table 4.7, Holstein-Friesians have the highest average liveweight across all ages. In contrast, Jerseys have
the lowest average liveweight across all ages. Liveweight by age and breed is illustrated in Graph 4.3.
Table 4.7: Liveweight by age and by breed category of cow in 2022/23
Holstein-Friesian
Jersey
Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Crossbreed
Age
Average liveweight (kg)
Number of cows
Average liveweight (kg)
Number of cows
Average liveweight (kg)
Number of cows
2
452
10,294
352
6,379
412
33,770
3
493
1,588
391
1,572
458
6,157
4
529
1,418
416
1,076
491
4,753
5
553
1,100
432
908
516
3,691
6
564
815
441
703
523
2,795
7
570
691
446
556
524
1,880
8
574
424
442
384
523
1,405
9
567
231
451
201
525
807
10+
569
241
443
235
521
785
Weighted Avg
524
410
482
Graph 4.3: Liveweight by age and by breed category of cow in 2022/23
4.3 Artificial Breeding (AB) statistics
3.808 million cows to AB in 2022/23
The percentage of cows to AB was higher than in the previous 3 seasons
Historically, all artificial inseminations (AI) were recorded on the LIC Herd Improvement Database. This was the main source of
insemination data for many years, however, with various changes over time it no longer holds all AI records. For the 1997/98 season and
onwards, insemination data now comes from the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD) which has a more complete record of
AB from all service providers (see https://www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/animal-evaluation/animal-database/ for more information about this
database).
Table 4.8 provides a summary of cows mated to AB for the last nine seasons. The percentage of cows to AB (82.0%) in 2022/23 was
higher than in the previous season (81.4%), with a total of 3.808 million cows mated to AB (Graph 4.4). The number of yearlings to
AB decreased by 6.6% from 239,287 in the previous season to 223,526 (Table 4.8).
Table 4.8: Trend in Artificial Breeding use by region: Cows and yearlings to AB
Cows to AB
Region
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
Northland
210,234
201,375
199,632
196,026
195,621
189,878
186,038
175,319
167,303
Auckland
82,783
75,051
74,420
70,380
69,861
71,851
70,120
65,816
63,909
Waikato
954,283
914,421
886,130
890,176
897,212
881,050
873,837
865,724
819,618
Bay of Plenty
163,618
154,235
146,688
145,504
146,087
142,938
139,795
133,432
125,843
Central Plateau
189,688
199,126
204,888
211,443
214,979
213,610
209,742
203,063
199,229
Western Uplands
32,617
29,045
30,772
31,396
33,127
32,906
31,736
30,690
29,532
East Coast
3,278
2,431
2,290
2,603
1,607
1,799
1,942
1,730
1,896
Hawkes Bay
41,310
38,912
36,904
41,707
41,646
39,906
37,593
36,851
36,020
Taranaki
432,907
414,757
396,796
398,339
400,927
397,993
392,771
391,354
374,485
Manawatu
175,358
169,732
166,311
166,464
168,730
164,735
164,549
162,565
154,356
Wairarapa
141,090
133,622
131,522
131,403
131,603
128,261
124,941
120,680
115,797
Nelson / Marlborough
74,523
71,060
68,652
67,212
66,560
63,194
61,325
56,842
57,050
West Coast
126,154
125,130
119,911
119,368
119,942
117,433
118,743
113,977
107,893
North Canterbury
594,762
596,988
605,246
624,347
641,371
640,339
645,071
642,531
629,175
South Canterbury
200,416
200,215
203,784
209,434
217,619
214,864
217,202
213,525
209,010
Otago
222,344
220,782
220,678
230,692
228,920
228,278
233,345
233,268
231,610
Southland
485,179
480,368
477,041
490,929
490,235
490,623
495,835
494,520
485,427
New Zealand
4,130,544
4,027,250
3,971,665
4,027,423
4,066,047
4,019,658
4,004,585
3,941,887
3,808,153
Percentage of Cows to AB
Region
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
Northland
73.7
71.8
74.2
72.1
74.1
73.5
74.2
72.1
73.3
Auckland
72.6
67.5
71.3
66.7
70.3
75.0
74.0
70.3
75.1
Waikato
81.3
79.4
79.3
78.4
80.3
79.8
79.5
80.1
77.9
Bay of Plenty
81.5
77.6
76.6
74.3
76.9
77.1
76.2
74.7
74.0
Central Plateau
72.4
74.4
75.6
75.3
77.2
76.2
74.4
72.1
75.9
Western Uplands
70.5
62.2
69.7
65.2
68.8
70.1
65.3
64.6
65.3
East Coast
69.9
41.3
38.3
44.2
27.3
29.9
40.4
35.0
37.1
Hawkes Bay
84.4
79.8
80.8
86.1
87.2
87.7
85.1
83.5
85.3
Taranaki
87.2
85.2
83.9
83.5
85.9
85.1
84.3
85.0
84.1
Manawatu
79.7
76.8
78.1
75.5
78.0
76.9
76.3
77.3
77.2
Wairarapa
83.4
80.4
81.9
81.0
84.0
84.1
83.0
81.4
81.2
Nelson / Marlborough
85.0
82.6
80.6
80.8
80.9
79.0
82.3
77.2
80.5
West Coast
81.1
79.2
77.0
77.5
78.4
78.3
78.8
77.5
77.6
North Canterbury
88.1
86.5
90.0
89.0
90.6
89.0
89.2
89.2
89.5
South Canterbury
82.8
83.4
87.6
83.5
86.7
85.2
88.0
87.1
84.9
Otago
84.2
84.2
86.0
86.1
84.9
84.1
85.4
86.2
94.2
Southland
84.7
83.5
84.7
84.2
82.8
82.9
83.2
83.6
86.7
New Zealand
82.3
80.6
81.7
80.7
82.2
81.7
81.7
81.4
82.0
Yearlings to AB
Region
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
Northland
11,963
10,085
10,484
11,258
12,070
10,708
9,648
9,722
10,373
Auckland
4,402
3,132
3,053
3,226
3,219
2,892
3,987
4,251
3,347
Waikato
32,125
25,116
23,629
22,840
22,551
20,717
20,347
20,923
19,960
Bay of Plenty
10,339
8,779
8,845
9,178
9,104
9,562
8,952
9,330
7,413
Central Plateau
7,296
4,188
4,814
5,374
7,244
7,398
6,060
7,759
6,434
Western Uplands
2,016
2,523
2,305
2,170
2,502
2,497
2,254
2,031
2,014
East Coast
69
60
126
152
169
151
160
409
713
Hawkes Bay
2,612
4,583
1,864
3,213
3,302
2,552
2,343
2,022
2,353
Taranaki
7,159
4,726
4,539
4,625
5,666
5,542
5,156
5,754
5,382
Manawatu
9,471
5,808
6,860
6,763
7,587
6,077
6,898
6,447
5,918
Wairarapa
5,403
4,789
5,141
4,626
5,130
4,728
4,895
4,514
4,548
Nelson / Marlborough
4,566
3,318
3,834
4,404
4,648
4,545
3,592
3,688
3,555
West Coast
4,832
3,988
4,954
5,569
6,101
6,702
8,647
8,451
7,679
North Canterbury
49,108
39,060
45,613
58,751
69,553
73,242
68,046
64,334
62,180
South Canterbury
28,639
22,969
23,820
24,033
25,647
24,764
23,969
25,921
21,490
Otago
21,654
18,680
19,747
23,992
28,119
28,332
25,911
26,052
23,274
Southland
43,060
30,904
31,994
39,970
46,107
42,047
38,941
37,679
36,893
New Zealand
244,714
192,708
201,622
230,144
258,719
252,456
239,806
239,287
223,526
Graph 4.4: Trend in the percentage of cows to Artificial Breeding
In 2022/23 the average number of inseminations per cow (recorded in DIGAD) was 1.38 (Graph 4.5).
Graph 4.5: Average number of inseminations per cow
The use of Ayrshire, Holstein-Friesian and Jersey semen over different cow breeds for the past five seasons is shown in the graphs
below. The use of Ayrshire semen over Ayrshire cows is no longer the dominant trend in Ayrshire semen use, with more being used over
Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crosses (45.3%) and Holstein-Friesian (18.7%) as shown in Graph 4.6. Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Crossbreed semen is used
predominantly over Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crosses (Graph 4.7). Similar to Ayrshire, the use of Jersey semen over Jersey cows is no longer
the main trend. Jersey semen is now predominately used over Holstein-Friesian/Jersey crosses (44.5%), as illustrated in Graph 4.8. The
use of Holstein-Friesian semen remains predominately over Holstein-Friesian/Jersey cross cows (53.8%), followed by Holstein-Friesian
cows (38.6%) (Graph 4.9).
Graph 4.6: Ayrshire semen usage (%) over breed category
Graph 4.7: Holstein-Friesian / Jersey Crossbreed semen usage (%) over breed category
Graph 4.8: Jersey semen usage (%) over breed category
Graph 4.9: Holstein-Friesian semen usage (%) over breed category
The percentage of inseminations for each of the main breed categories (Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Holstein-Friesian/Jersey Crossbreed,
Ayrshire, Short Gestation Length (SGL) and Beef), as recorded on DIGAD, is shown in Graph 4.10. The percentage of inseminations for
Jersey and Holstein-Friesians decreased slightly compared with previous seasons. There were marginal increases in the percentage of inseminations for Ayrshire, Holstein-Friesian-Jersey crossbreeds, SGL and beef breeds compared to the previous season.
Graph 4.10: Trend in the percentage of inseminations of each breed category
4.4 Herd Reproduction
The statistics in this section are collected from LIC MINDA® recording herds only as the data is collected from the Detailed Fertility Focus Report and Intermediate Fertility Focus Reports.
Reproductive performance is a key determinant of farm productivity. The 6-week in-calf rate is the best overall measure of herd
reproductive performance and is used to compare performance between herds and to monitor national performance.
The not-in-calf rate at end of mating is important at a herd level, but is not suitable for comparison between herds due to differences in
length of mating period.
Actual 6-week in-calf rate (Detailed Fertility Focus Reports) is calculated for herds with sufficient early aged pregnancy test records (at
least 80% of cows in the herd, and at least 80% of all pregnancy test results are less than or equal to 122 days pregnant, or nonpregnant).
The 6-week in-calf rate for herds without sufficient early aged pregnancy test records is estimated from calving and mating data
(Intermediate Fertility Focus Reports).
Since the launch of the DairyNZ InCalf programme in 2008/09, there has been a trend towards more early-aged pregnancy testing and
thus an increase of actual results available from Detailed Fertility Focus Reports. The number of herds with detailed reports has increased
from 354 in 2008/09 to 4,607 in 2022/23 (Table 4.9).
The mean actual 6-week in-calf rate of 66.6% is slightly lower than the previous four seasons. The mean estimated 6-week in-calf rates
are 2-4% lower than the mean actual 6-week in-calf rate, but a similar trend is evident.
The mean 3-week submission rate is lower in 2022/23 compared with the previous seasons, while the mean conception rate dropped (by
0.9%) compared with the previous season. Conception rates are not available for Intermediate Fertility Focus Reports.
Table 4.9: Trend in mean herd reproductive performance
Actual
Estimated
Mating season
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Mean 3-week submission rate
Mean conception rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Mean 3-week submission rate (%)
2008/09
354
63.4
78.5
50.1
4,872
62.1
72.7
2009/10
712
63.5
77.5
51.0
4,749
61.6
72.2
2010/11
982
64.4
78.7
50.7
4,090
61.9
72.6
2011/12
1,341
66.8
80.7
52.2
4,051
63.3
76.0
2012/13
1,862
67.8
81.6
52.9
4,034
64.3
76.6
2013/14
2,363
67.2
80.8
52.5
3,874
64.5
76.5
2014/15
2,895
66.8
81.1
52.6
3,918
64.2
76.2
2015/16
3,646
66.5
80.0
52.4
4,778
63.7
75.0
2016/17
3,952
65.8
78.1
53.4
4,566
62.7
72.0
2017/18
3,963
66.6
79.1
54.0
4,035
62.3
73.2
2018/19
4,207
67.5
80.7
54.1
3,883
64.3
76.0
2019/20
4,430
67.8
80.2
54.2
3,624
64.3
75.7
2020/21
4,492
67.7
81.3
52.7
3,527
64.9
76.4
2021/22
4,671
67.4
80.4
51.8
3,208
64.2
75.9
2022/23
4,607
66.6
77.6
50.9
3,087
63.2
73.9
Note: Results for 2008/09 and 2009/10 are based on version 1.0 of the Fertility Focus Report software. Results for 2010/11 until 2015/16 are from version
2.15 and results for 2016/17 onwards are from version 3.01. These updated versions had improvements made to calculations and reflect more correctly
what the national performance is.
Graph 4.11: Trend in mean actual and estimated 6-week in-calf rate
Note: Results for 2008/09 and 2009/10 are based on version 1.0 of the Fertility Focus Report software. Results for 2010/11 until 2015/16 are from version
2.15 and results for 2016/17 onwards are from version 3.01. These updated versions had improvements made to calculations and reflect more correctly
what the national performance is.
Mean actual 6-week in-calf rate by region ranged between 64.0% (Hawkes Bay/Manawatu/Wairarapa) and 68.4% (West Coast/Nelson/Marlborough) in
2022/23 (Table 4.10). West Coast/Nelson/Marlborough was the only region which recorded a slight increase over the previous season.
Table 4.10: Mean 6-week in-calf rate by farming region
Actual
Estimated
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
Region
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Number of herds
Mean 6-week in-calf rate (%)
Northland / Auckland
228
68.7
239
66.7
210
64.5
364
63.3
329
62.0
321
61.4
Waikato / Western Uplands
1,171
68.4
1,233
68.1
1,173
65.8
1,102
65.4
1,006
64.6
1,009
63.4
BoP / Central Plateau / East Coast
402
66.9
400
66.1
373
66.0
322
64.4
300
64.4
287
63.0
Taranaki
414
68.8
412
68.7
423
67.0
808
66.1
780
65.7
733
64.0
Hawkes Bay / Manawatu / Wairarapa
338
65.7
352
64.5
356
64.0
297
64.4
252
62.4
228
62.2
West Coast / Nelson / Marlborough
170
68.6
182
66.8
196
68.4
259
64.2
232
63.4
220
63.7
North & South Canterbury
849
67.4
878
67.8
888
67.6
151
64.1
129
63.8
115
63.6
Otago / Southland
920
67.1
975
67.7
988
67.5
224
63.9
180
63.5
174
63.3
Note: Results reported in this table are from an improved version of the Fertility Focus Report software and will differ from earlier publications.
In 2022/23, 50% of herds had an actual 6-week in-calf rate of 68% or higher and 10% had an in-calf rate of 76% or higher (Table
4.11). Ten percent of herds had 6-week-in-calf rate of 56% or lower.
Table 4.11: Actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2022/23
Number of herds
Median
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
6-week in-calf rate
4,607
68
> 76
> 72
< 63
< 56
Graph 4.12: Distribution of actual 6-week in-calf rate in 2022/23
The distribution of estimated 6-week in-calf rates is tighter than the actual results, reflecting that estimates tend towards the mean.
In 2022/23, 50% of herds had an estimated 6-week in-calf rate of 65% or higher and 10% of herds had an estimated 6-week in-calf rate of 71% or higher (Table 4.12). Ten percent of herds had an in-calf rate of 54% or lower.
Table 4.12: Estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2022/23
Number of herds
Median
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
6-week in-calf rate
3,087
65
> 71
> 68
< 60
< 54
Graph 4.13: Distribution of estimated 6-week in-calf rate in 2022/23
4.5 Calving
4.5.1 Planned start of calving and median calving dates
The trend in calving dates within and between regions is best shown by the “planned start of calving” date. The planned start of calving date is 279 days from the date that mating is started in the herd. A farmer has control over, and the ability to change, the start of mating.
Historically, the mating and calving information was sourced from the LIC Herd Improvement Database (approximately 80-85% of all herds). This has been the source used for graphs 4.14-4.15. However, since the 2021/22 season, the data for these graphs is now
sourced from the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database (DIGAD).
The median calving date (the date that occupies the middle position after the dates are arranged in ascending order) is used as an
indicator of actual calving spread. The forecasted planned start of calving and actual median calving dates for cows (excluding first calvers) for the 2022/23 season are shown in Graph 4.14.
Graph 4.14: Planned start of calving and median calving dates for cows (excluding first calvers) by region
The planned start of calving for five-yearly intervals since 2008/09 is shown in Graph 4.15. The planned start of calving in 2022/23 was earlier than five and fifteen years ago. For the 2023/24 season most regions are either maintaining or returning to a similar planned start of calving date compared with ten years ago.
Graph 4.15: Trend in planned start of calving dates for cows (excluding first calvers) by region
4.5.2 Calving interval
The calving interval for a cow is the number of days between her calving date in the current season and her calving date in the
preceding season. No interval is calculated for first-calving heifers. The average calving interval is based on all recorded calving dates for
cows calving during the period from 1 June to 30 November. All records where pregnancy was terminated were excluded.
Table 4.13: Trend in mean calving interval by breed
All breeds
Holstein-Friesian
Jersey
Friesian/Jersey Cross
Ayrshire
Season
Average number of days
Number of records
Average number of days
Number of records
Average number of days
Number of records
Average number of days
Number of records
Average number of days
Number of records
2002/03
368.4
2,109,651
368.6
1,068,842
368.3
365,913
368.0
562,974
369.4
24,175
2003/04
369.0
2,181,103
369.4
1,067,677
368.2
375,598
368.6
620,523
368.9
23,642
2004/05
369.5
2,210,747
370.1
1,040,243
368.8
383,759
369.0
666,562
370.6
23,169
2005/06
367.8
2,241,175
368.2
1,013,546
367.7
390,971
367.4
706,441
368.2
23,129
2006/07
368.9
2,260,512
369.3
1,002,099
369.0
387,357
368.2
739,493
370.4
22,785
2007/08
369.9
2,349,042
370.4
985,422
369.7
366,954
369.5
853,422
371.0
21,239
2008/09
370.1
2,359,392
371.0
953,577
368.9
359,509
369.5
891,949
371.9
19,948
2009/10
368.7
2,477,122
369.1
972,118
368.3
361,329
368.5
980,435
369.3
16,745
2010/11
368.6
2,628,672
369.2
1,000,637
368.2
364,664
368.2
1,088,976
370.5
19,719
2011/12
368.3
2,807,333
368.5
1,030,006
368.0
370,877
368.2
1,213,169
369.1
20,164
2012/13
368.8
2,927,817
368.7
1,323,053
368.4
370,796
368.7
1,323,053
369.5
20,643
2013/14
368.4
3,054,915
368.8
1,051,940
368.2
366,500
368.2
1,427,255
369.8
20,337
2014/15
368.4
3,087,517
368.9
1,037,413
367.8
350,376
368.1
1,478,464
368.9
18,949
2015/16
369.5
3,063,466
370.0
1,002,362
368.5
327,521
369.4
1,515,761
370.0
17,358
2016/17
370.9
3,102,833
371.6
1,010,574
370.3
310,334
370.7
1,553,638
370.8
16,162
2017/18
368.6
3,088,021
369.3
1,011,453
367.8
293,988
368.4
1,557,077
369.9
15,086
2018/19
368.9
3,092,199
369.4
935,436
368.5
274,187
368.9
1,653,697
369.5
14,178
2019/20
369.0
3,085,761
369.3
753,923
368.3
247,196
369.0
1,866,661
369.2
13,276
2020/21
369.4
3,038,733
369.8
716,265
368.9
235,352
369.3
1,853,430
369.3
11,988
2021/22
369.2
2,986,978
369.6
679,394
369.0
227,480
369.2
1,850,683
370.1
11,238
4.6 Animal Evaluation
The genetic merit of New Zealand dairy cows and sires is estimated using statistical methods which allow simultaneous evaluation of
cows and sires of all breeds, using all recorded relationships. Examination of the structure of the national herd reveals large numbers of
crossbred cows, and large numbers of herds with mixed breeds. For this reason, the national evaluation system is designed to compare
animals irrespective of breed, both nationally and within herd, to assist farmers to select the most profitable animals for the future.
There are two types of evaluations calculated for New Zealand dairy animals:
Trait evaluations: These are estimates of an animal’s genetic merit (Breeding Values) for individual traits including milkfat, protein,
volume, liveweight, somatic cell, fertility, gestation length, body condition score, functional survival and udder overall. There are also estimates of an animal’s lifetime productive ability (Production Values) for milkfat, protein, volume, somatic cell and liveweight.
Economic evaluations: These combine an animal’s individual trait evaluations to estimate its comparative ability to convert feed into
profit, through breeding replacements (Breeding Worth) and lifetime production (Production Worth).
For each economic index, Economic Values are calculated for the relevant traits. For Breeding Worth, the Economic Values represent the
net income per unit of feed from breeding replacements with a one-unit genetic improvement in the trait. For Production Worth, the
Economic Values represent the net income per unit of feed from milking cows with a one unit improved productive ability in the trait. In
each case the base unit of feed is five tonnes of dry matter in average quality pasture.
The profit-related traits are combined into a single economic index. For example,
where: BV = Breeding Value for each trait, $EV = economic value for each trait for breeding replacements
Production Worth is calculated using Production Values for the 3 production traits, somatic cell and liveweight, multiplied by the
respective economic values.
Animal Evaluation provides a tool for ranking animals in terms of their expected profit per unit of feed consumed. The economic values
for 2023 are presented below (Table 4.14). The economic values are reviewed annually and therefore may change from year to year.
The timing of this update has historically occurred in February, but last season New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited (NZAEL) made
the decision to align any major Animal Evaluation updates with the Interbull (international) evaluation schedule. By default, this included
updates to economic values.
Table 4.14: Economic values used from 18 May 2023
Milkfat ($/kg)
Protein ($/kg)
Milk ($/kg)
Liveweight ($/kg)
Somatic Cell ($/score)
Fertility ($/CR42)
Gestation Length ($/day)
Body Cond. Score ($/score)
Udder Overall ($/unit)
Functional Survival ($/%)
Breeding Worth
5.18
5.21
-0.0951
-1.38
-42.89
6.244
-0.822
116.93
ª
2.65
Production Worth
4.72
6.29
-0.0970
-1.42
-42.70
Note: - The current economic values (EVs) that contribute to the Breeding Worth (BW) index will remain the same as December 2021, until December 2023 when they will be reviewed again.
- Functional Survival was added to BW in December 2021 in replacement of residual survival.
- From March 2023 the trait ‘Fertility’ was adjusted for Gestation length and the new trait ‘Gestation length’ was added.
ª Udder overall ($/unit) was added to BW in April 2022 with a non-linear economic value of 54.692 x BV + -22.912 x BV2 ($17.31 represents an udder overall BV of ~0.376, when udder overall BV is > than 1.19355 then the economic value used is 32.6389).
The information for all Animal Evaluation statistics was sourced from cows and sires in DIGAD
as of 18th May 2023. The evaluations were conducted with reference to a genetic base of cows born in 2005. The genetic base (also known as the base cow), refers to a group of cows from a specific year whose profitability is used as the reference point zero, with the profitability of all other animals reported relative to this group. For more information on
economic values, follow these links - www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/animal-evaluation/interpreting-the-info/economic-values and
www.lic.co.nz/about/animal-evaluation.
4.6.1 Sire Evaluations
Table 4.15 shows the Breeding Values (BV) and Breeding Worth (BW) by breed, of all bulls born in 2018, first proven in the 2022/23
season with a BW Reliability of 70% or greater. Reliability of BW is reported on a scale from 0% to 99%. 0% is the case where there are
no performance records for any related animal used in the bull’s evaluation. 99% is the case where the bull has a very large number of
performance-recorded daughters.
Table 4.15: Average Breeding Values and Breeding Worth of 2018 born bulls (BW reliability of 70% or greater)
Breed category
Milk Fat BV
Protein BV
Milk Volume BV
Liveweight BV
Somatic Cell BV
Fertility BV
Gestation Length BV
Body Condition Score BV
Functional Survival BV
Udder Overall BV
Breeding Worth
Number of Bulls
Holstein-Friesian
37.6
38.7
916.0
54.7
0.1
-3.5
-3.124
0.0
1.7
0.553
240.5
113
Jersey
32.5
13.9
-198.3
-38.4
-0.2
0.8
-2.142
0.1
1.3
0.310
348.8
75
Holstein-Friesian / Jersey Crossbreed
36.8
31.0
455.6
9.2
0.1
-1.9
-3.042
0.0
1.8
0.391
304.0
86
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The genetic trend of all proven dairy bulls is shown in Graph 4.16. Note, there were no 2018-born Ayrshire bulls with a BW reliability of 70% or greater.
Graph 4.16: Genetic trend of proven dairy bulls by year of birth (BW reliability of 70% or greater)
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Young bulls are initially selected for use in Artificial Breeding based on the genetic merit of their sire and dam and/or genomic indices.
These young sires are then progeny tested to estimate their Breeding Worth more accurately via the performance of their daughters.
Each year some progeny tested bulls are returned to service for use as proven sires.
Table 4.16 shows the number of sires, by birth year and breed category, for which the Reliability of the BW was at least 70%. The
information in this table is updated every year for all age groups to include older bulls that have now been proven in New Zealand.
Table 4.16: Number of Sires by birth year and breed category (reliability of BW 70% or greater, includes overseas bulls)
Year of Birth
Number of Sires
Holstein-Friesian
Jersey
Holstein-Friesian / Jersey Crossbreed
Ayrshire
Other
2002
547
275
165
70
29
8
2003
538
263
155
68
43
9
2004
555
273
158
76
30
18
2005
529
242
163
72
23
29
2006
535
259
161
59
29
27
2007
347
165
103
40
27
12
2008
372
157
108
68
21
18
2009
376
165
121
64
23
3
2010
358
179
86
67
20
6
2011
421
202
117
69
25
8
2012
440
189
112
108
22
9
2013
459
203
108
110
26
12
2014
456
210
94
118
23
11
2015
415
190
98
107
16
4
2016
361
155
86
101
14
5
2017
337
152
77
97
10
1
2018
277
113
75
86
0
3
Total
7,323
3,392
1,987
1,380
381
183
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
4.6.2 Cow Evaluations
The Breeding Worth for herds presented below (Table 4.17 and Graph 4.17) is based on cows of the users of herd testing services, in
herds with at least 80 cows, in the 2022/23 season. Table 4.17 shows that 50% of these herds had a BW of 171 or above and 25% of
these herds had a BW of 199 or above.
Table 4.17: Herd Breeding Worth in 2022/23
Median
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
Bottom 5%
Herd BW
171
>247
>227
>199
<141
<109
<85
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Graph 4.17: Distribution of Herd Breeding Worth in 2022/23
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The Production Worth (PW) for herds presented below (Table 4.18 and Graph 4.18) is based on cows of the users of herd testing
services, in herds with at least 80 cows, in the 2022/23 season. Table 4.18 shows that 50% of these herds had a PW of 223 or above
and 25% of these herds had a PW of 254 or above.
Table 4.18: Herd Production Worth in 2022/23
Median
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
Bottom 5%
Herd PW
223
> 302
> 284
> 254
<186
<150
< 126
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Graph 4.18: Distribution of Herd Production Worth in 2022/23
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The Breeding Worth (BW) for cows presented below (Table 4.19 and Graph 4.19) is based on all cows of the users of herd testing
services, in herds with at least 80 cows, and signed up for herd testing in the 2022/23 season. Table 4.19 shows that 50% of these cows
had a BW of 173 or above and that 25% of these cows had a BW of 229 or above.
Table 4.19: Cow Breeding Worth in 2022/23
Median
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
Bottom 5%
Cow BW
173
> 307
> 278
> 229
< 111
< 52
< -13
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Graph 4.19: Distribution of Cow Breeding Worth in 2022/23
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The Production Worth (PW) for cows presented below (Table 4.20 and Graph 4.20) is based on cows of the users of herd testing
services, in herds with at least 80 cows, in the 2022/23 season. Table 4.20 shows that 50% of these cows had a PW of 225 or above
and that 25% of these cows had a PW of 328 or above.
Table 4.20: Cow Production Worth in 2022/23
Median
Top 5%
Top 10%
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
Bottom 10%
Bottom 5%
Cow PW
225
> 491
> 427
> 328
< 115
< 6
< -67
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Graph 4.20: Distribution of Cow Production Worth in 2022/23
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The genetic trend for cows is based on all cows (alive or dead) recorded on the DIGAD Database as of 18 May 2023.
Also included are the estimated BW and PW for replacement stock (2021 and 2022 born animals). All evaluations can be compared
across breeds. The genetic trend for BW by breed is presented in Graph 4.21. The Breeding Worth for all breed categories has increased
over time.
Graph 4.21: Trend in Breeding Worth for all cows
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
The trend for PW by breed is presented in Graph 4.22. The increasing value of protein has resulted in a favourable outcome for
crossbred animals with the additional value of heterosis (hybrid vigour) also expressed in PW for crossbred animals.
Graph 4.22: Trend in Production Worth for all cows
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Table 4.21 shows the average BVs and BW by breed category, of all current 2020 born cows. The Jersey cows had the highest average BW
at 258. Holstein-Friesian cows had the highest protein, and milk volume BVs, and together with crossbred animals they had the highest milkfat BVs. All evaluations are comparable across breeds.
Table 4.21: Average Breeding Worth and Breeding Values of all current cows born in 2020 by breed category
Breed
BW $
Milkfat BV (kg)
Protein BV (kg)
Milk Volume BV (l)
Liveweight BV (kg)
Somatic Cell BV (score)
Fertility BV (%)
Gestation Length BV (days)
Body Cond. Score (score)
Functional Survival BV (%)
Udder Overall BV (unit)
Cow Numbers
Holstein-Friesian
154.1
24.4
27.3
689
42.3
0.04
-1.6
-2.2
0.01
1.4
0.342
203,510
Jersey
258.3
20.1
6.6
-280
-45.9
-0.16
0.7
-1.5
0.00
1.3
0.310
68,620
HF/J Cross
210.4
24.5
20.8
299
6.8
-0.01
-0.8
-2.5
0.00
1.4
0.266
542,075
Ayrshire
-70.0
1.2
5.1
285
20.1
-0.18
-8.5
-0.4
-0.08
0.5
0.146
3,631
Guernsey
-241.9
-17.1
-13.5
-373
25.6
0.03
-5.7
3.6
-0.12
-4.6
-0.266
38
Milking Shorthorn
-194.4
-17.3
-5.9
-106
29.6
-0.10
-2.8
0.8
-0.04
-3.4
-0.239
156
Brown Swiss
-184.5
-13.2
1.3
29
38.3
-0.27
-9.7
5.2
-0.04
-1.9
-0.079
80
Other
163.2
19.5
18.0
258
8.1
-0.01
-1.3
-2.1
-0.02
0.9
0.216
79,271
Weighted Average
195.9
23.6
20.9
339
11.0
-0.01
-1.0
-2.3
0.00
1.4
0.282
897,381
(Evaluation date: 18 May 2023)
Survivability is measured by the percentage of cows that have a lactation recorded for consecutive years. In the 2022/23 season, survivability was higher than the previous year for animals in the age groups of 4-5 years and 5-6 years. For animals in the other age groups, survivability was about the same or slightly lower than in the 2021-2022 season.
The value in the “2-3 years” age group is the percentage of cows that were milking as two-year-olds in the 2021/22 season and are now
milking as three-year-olds in the 2022/23 season. Table 4.22 shows that for the 2022/23 season the highest percentage of survival is in
animals aged 3-4 years (87.3%), followed by animals aged 4-5 years (86.9%) and 2-3 years (85.0%).
Table 4.22: Trend in survivability percentages (% of age group surviving to next lactation)
