Milk collections — measured in kilograms of milk solids (kg MS) — reached 169.6 million kg MS in January, a 2.3% rise on the prior year, driven primarily by robust results in the South Island where conditions supported extended milking and feed availability . This uptick points to strong pasture performance in key regions, supporting higher per-cow yields and improved overall dairy throughput.

Season-to-date figures also paint a positive picture for the 2025/26 dairy season. Total milk solids collections from June through January now stand at 1,074.9 million kg MS, representing a 2.5% increase over last season and signalling sustained sector resilience . Such aggregated growth underscores the robustness of New Zealand’s supply base in the face of variable weather patterns and market pressures.

Regionally, the North Island saw a 0.6% gain in milk solids collections in January, attributed to improved on-farm efficiencies that offset challenging weather in parts of the island . Meanwhile, the South Island’s collections jumped 4.4%, driven by favourable conditions and pasture quality that bolstered yields late in the season — a notable divergence in performance that highlights geographic nuance within the dairy landscape .