THE SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DAIRY HERDS IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 50, Issue 5, 20 May 1935, Page 289

THE SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DAIRY HERDS IN NEW ZEALAND.

E. J. Fawcett,

Economist, Department of Agriculture, Wellington

The total dairy herd of New Zealand has increased by approximately 500,000 cows since 1929-30. This rapid 'expansion has taken place coincident with a decline in commodity prices, and there have been many conjectures as to the types of farms on which the major development has taken place. An analysis of holdings, based on herd size, was made by the Government Statistician for the 1929-30 season, and again for the 1933-34 season. Consideration and comparison of the . data contained in these tabulations gives us an indication of the direction in which dairying has developed during this period. j

The Government Statistician’s figures are based on agricultural and pastoral enumerations as at 31st January. For purposes of classification, farms are broken into two groups, namely

(1) Holdings wholly or almost wholly devoted to dairying.* (2) All holdings.

The figures used refer to holdings of one acre or over situated outside boroughs; For this reason the total number of dairy herds shown does not check with the . total number of -suppliers to dairy factories. For the 1929-30 season the total number of herds enumerated, was 65,496f, whilst there were 59,417 suppliers to factories. ' In 1933-34 there were 70,434 herds enumerated, but 71,837 suppliers were recorded in the factory lists for that season J. In 1930 there were 19,671 holdings in respect of which returns were submitted showing no dairy cows, whilst in 1934 there were 13,934 holdings in this category.

It can be assumed safely in many instances that these holdings carried cows for the provision of household milk, but were not concerned with factory supply.

The first movements of importance which should be noted, therefore, are that the number of herds enumerated increased and that factory supply had become general by 1934, when factorysuppliers exceeded the total number of herds recorded outside boroughs. It is clear that financial stringency amongst sheepfarmers in the early'stages of the depression caused many of them to develop dairy herds of various sizes, and all of them to supply factories with their surplus produce if cream collection was practicable* During the period 1930-34, total production increased by 36 per cent., whereas suppliers to factories increased by 29 per cent.

It will be seen from a study of Table i that, coincident with the increase in suppliers, a definite movement has taken place in herd-composition within the supply ing-groups. Herds of from one to nine cows have dropped in numbers and in relative importance. All the other groups have increased in actual numbers, but those up to fifty-nine cows have decreased in the percentage they represent within the Dominion herd, whilst the larger herds of sixty cows or more assume greater relative importance. Has this movement taken place mainly in specialized or non-specialized herds ?

Specialized and Non-specialized Herds. The basic figures covering both types of herds for 1930 and for 1934 respectively are given in Tables 2 and 3.

Within the specialized category, increases in cows and in area have been fairly balanced. The increase in area, however, is mainly accounted for by those farms which have changed over to cow-dominant propositions. It will be seen at a later stage that cow increases are mainly influenced by increments in established herds. In the non-specialized group, the number of herds are affected by the switch to “ specialized,” and the increase in cows is wholly accounted for by enlargement of the dairying side of enterprises already devoted to mixed sheep and dairy farming.

Changes in grouping of Herds on Basis of Size. The trend towards enlargement of existing herds, and the increasing relative importance of larger herds in the industry, is demonstrated in a comparison of the percentage of the total, which is represented by herds falling within definite size groups. In Table 4 the position in 1930 is compared with that in 1934. In the specialized groups, although the total number of cows in herds of under forty has increased, the percentage of the whole which they represented in 1934 has declined, whereas herds of above forty cows have rapidly increased in relative importance. In the non-specialized groups, small herds of under ten cows have declined in number, whilst others have increased in number and in relative importance. This is specially true of the larger herds on nonspecialized holdings. Wherever practicable, the dairy herds on sheep and mixed farms have been increased in size, and particularly so on farms of about 1,000 acres where comparatively small herds have been developed to augment incomes and to provide some cash income each month.

Size of Holdings.

The validity of the break-up of herds into specialized and non-specialized dairying undertakings can be gauged from the average size of the holdings concerned and the average area per cow as shown in Table 5. The specialized group in 1930 obviously includes small areas which are devoted partially to other activities and small farms which are not fully developed. Those farms carrying larger herds were apparently well developed on the average. The transference from non-specialized to specialized has apparently been mainly farms of small area which have built up herds from ten to thirty-nine cows. Such farms were larger on the average than those milking similar-sized herds in 1930, and result in a less intensive stocking in farms now carrying such herds. On the whole, however, they are typical dairy-farms in area and in utilization. The average area of the non-specialized group, and the resultant area per cow, suggest that the increase in enumerated herds has been mainly on large holdings, while the herds on large holdings which previously returned dairy herds have been increased also, thus moving them into higher grouping.

Summary, Period 1930-34.

(1) It has become a recognized practice for farmers to '.supply factories with their surplus butterfat wherever collection is practicable, but over 40 per cent, of suppliers have herds of under ten cows. - - ■ ; (2) The number of farmers who submit returns showing dairy herds on their property has increased materially. ' . . . ' . (3) Dairying has assumed a dominant position in an increasing number of farm enterprises. (4) The major increases in dairy cows have taken place on specialized dairying holdings. ... (5) On specialized holdings the major increases have taken place on farms carrying forty cows or more. (6) Although a number of non-specialized holdings carries large dairy herds, the relative importance of these herds in the dairying industry is small.

In Central Otago a farmer has successfully harvested two crops of seed—-rye-grass and white clover —from one paddock at different intervals in the one season. The rye-grass ripened first, and this was harvested directly with the header-harvester, leaving the bottom 6 in. to 8 in. of the sward containing clover untouched. A few weeks later, when the clover was ripe, the crop was windrowed. When this was dry the windrows were picked up by the header-harvester and threshed.

* Hereafter referred to as “ specialized ” and “ non-specialized ” dairy herds or holdings. f Total holdings outside boroughs : 1929-30, 85,167 ; 1933-34, 84,368. f Hereafter the 1929-30 season will be referred to as 1930, and the 1933-34 season as 1934.

Number of Cows. • ■ 1930. . 1934Number of Herds. Percentage of Total. Percentage Total Cows represented. Number of Herds. Percentage of Total. Percentage Total Cows represented. 1-9 •• 32,015 48-9 9-o 28,292 40 • 6-1 io- 19 9,027 13-8 9-2 10,769 15'3 7.7 . 20- 39 12,437 19-0 25-6 13.652 19’4 20-5 40- 59 •• 6,710 IO-2 23-0 8,632 12-2 21 ■ 7 60- 99 .. 4,195 6-4 22 • 1 6,679 9’5 25-9 100-149 864 i-3 7-2 1,784 2-5 10-9 150 and over 248 0-4 3-9 626 o-9 7-2 Total . . 65,496 100 • 0 100 • 0 70,434 100-o 100

Table. 1.—Total Herds of Dairy Cows and their Distribution, in Group Sizes

Number of Cows. Specialized. Non-specialized. . Holdings (Herds). Area. Cows. Holdings (Herds). Area. Cows. 1-9 9,964 178,763 38,227 22,051 22,814,770 89,734 io- 19 .. 4,656 323,594 67,864 4,371 4,150,805 62,289 20- 39 ' 9,045 1,001,477 263,975 3,392 1,829,598 98 ,028 40- 59 855,067 263,975 3,392 ‘ 1,829,598 98,028 40- 59 5,316 5,316 855,067 256,402 . 1,394 711887 68,494 60- 99 3,449 778,532 255035 746 554,218 57,405 100-149 . 688 233,694 79,999 176 236,879 2i,337 150 and over .. 183 113,519 40,148 65 187,489 14,917

Total . . 33,301 3,484,646 1,001,650 32,195 30,485,646 412,204

Table 2-Specialized and Non-specialized Herds, 19289-30

Number of Cows. Specialized. Non-specialized. Holdings (Herds). Area. Cows. Holdings (Herds). Area. Cows. 1-9 11.653 199,590 44,897 16,639 18,596,298 72,103 io- 19 .. 5,788 430,230 ■81,898 4,98l 6,223,781 66,208 20- 39 10,34° 1,239,090 298,975 3,312 2,676,569 1 91,093 40- 59 7.155 1,147,390 343,895 1,477 I,136,249 70,489 60- 99 5.655 1,224,703 417,368 1,024 916,316 ■ 75,586 100-149 1,516 498,735 175,975 268 278,748 ■ 31,296 150 and over . . 472 284,734 103,001 154 307,067 35,292 Total .. 42,579 5,024,472 1,466,009 27,855 36,135,028 442,067

Table 3. — Specialized and Non-specialized Herds, 1933-34.

Specialized Group. Percentage Position 1934 relative to 1930. . Number of herds .. * .. .. Total area of farms concerned Total cows concerned .. Increased by 27-9 per cent. Increased by 44-2 per cent. Increased by 46-4 per cent. Non-specialized Group. Percentage Position 1934 relative to 1930. Number of herds .. .. Total area of farms concerned Total cows concerned Decreased by 13-5 per cent. Decreased by 1-2 per cent. Increased by 7-2 per cent.

It will be noted that in 1930 specialized herds represented 50-8 per cent, of the total, and had increased to 60-5 per cent, by 1934. It is clear that management on many farms has been directed to change from a sheep-dominant to a cow-dominant position during this period. The movement in the various factors are as follows :—

j n ; ~ . v ■ ■ ". > ■' . < Number of Cows. . - ; Specialized. Non-specialized . 1930. • 19341930. 1934Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. 1-9 . •29-9 27-4 68-5 . 59- 8 io- 19 14-0 13'5 13’6 17-9 .>20- 39 .. ' .. 27-2 24 3 10-5 ii-9 40-59 ••• r . 16-o 16-8 . 4’3 : ! 5’3 60- 99 ... - 10-4 i3-3 2-3 ■ 3'7 ' 100-149 2-1 3-6 o-5 0-9 150 and over 0-4 1 -i 0-2 o-5

Tablet 4.— Percentage Position on Herd Sizes.

■ ■ Number of Cows. Specialized. Non-specialized. 1930. 1934- ■ 1930. 1934- ‘ Area of Holding. Area per COW. Area of Holding. Area per Cow. Area of Holding. Area per • Cow. Area of Holding. Area per Cow. - ■'•I- 9 .. 18 4'7 17 4-4 1-035 220-2 1,118 261-4 io- 19 .. 70 4-8 74 5-2 927 64-8 1,250. 94’° 20- 39 .. III 3-8 119. 4’2 539 18-6 808 29'4 1 40- 59 .. 161 3’3 160 3'3' ; 511 io -4 - 769 16- 1 ; 60- 99 . . 226 3-i . 217 2-9 / > 743 9-7 \vr.894 .... 12 • 1 100-149 340 2-9 329 2-8 . 346 11 • 1 . 1,400 12-0 150 and over 620 .2- 8 603 2 • 8 ' 2 ,884 12 • 1,929 8-4

Table 5.— Group Positions according to Area of Holdings and Area per Cow (in Acres).