Dairy farmers are encouraged to have their say on whether to continue with a Milksolids Levy in the upcoming vote, which opens on Monday 16 February 2026. Industry-good organisation DairyNZ holds the vote once every six years.

DairyNZ researchers have mapped regions where cows are most at risk from rising temperatures, and are developing resources to help farmers mitigate the effects of excessive heat load on their animals, which can impact feed intake and milk production.

New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows, shown through record milk production per cow and continued genetic progress.

Some of our key dairying catchments are under pressure, and farmers are stepping up. The Sustainable Catchments programme is about working together to speed up environmental improvements and protect the health of local waterways.

DairyNZ’s Plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

DairyNZ’s policy team covers 14 regional councils, working to ensure regulations impacting dairy farmers are practical and evidence-based.

Consultation on new freshwater regulations has now closed, but not before DairyNZ strongly advocated for more workable rules to meet both environmental needs and the realities of farming.

We explore the science, smarts and systems that will continue to give New Zealand dairy farmers their edge over the global competition.

Dairy farmers with a passion for shaping the future of the sector are encouraged to stand for this year’s DairyNZ Board elections. Nominations are open for two farmer-elected board positions and two roles on the Directors’ Remuneration Committee.