There are fewer dairy cattle, sheep, and deer in New Zealand’s paddocks, according to the final results of the five-yearly Agricultural Production Census 2022 that Stats NZ released today.
The 2022 survey of farming production and practices reveals small decreases in the national dairy herd and sheep flock, with dairy cattle numbers down 1 percent from the previous year.
“The total number of dairy cattle was 6.1 million at June 2022. This is 8 percent lower than in 2014 when the total dairy cattle herd peaked at 6.7 million”, general manager of economic and environment insights Jason Attewell said.
| At 30 June | Total dairy cattle |
| 2002 | 5162000 |
| 2003 | 5102000 |
| 2004 | 5152000 |
| 2005 | 5087000 |
| 2006 | 5170000 |
| 2007 | 5261000 |
| 2008 | 5578000 |
| 2009 | 5861000 |
| 2010 | 5915000 |
| 2011 | 6175000 |
| 2012 | 6446000 |
| 2013 | 6484000 |
| 2014 | 6698000 |
| 2015 | 6486000 |
| 2016 | 6619000 |
| 2017 | 6530000 |
| 2018 | 6386000 |
| 2019 | 6261000 |
| 2020 | 6200000 |
| 2021 | 6185000 |
| 2022 | 6136000 |
While the dairy cattle herd has decreased in both islands, the North Island has seen a much larger fall. Across the North Island dairy cattle numbers fell by 11 percent (431,000) compared with 2014 (when dairy cattle numbers peaked). In contrast South Island dairy cattle numbers fell only 5 percent (131,000) compared with 2014.
| At 30 June | North Island | South Island |
| 2002 | 3832000 | 1330000 |
| 2003 | 3793000 | 1309000 |
| 2004 | 3787000 | 1365000 |
| 2005 | 3732000 | 1355000 |
| 2006 | 3715000 | 1455000 |
| 2007 | 3613000 | 1648000 |
| 2008 | 3758000 | 1821000 |
| 2009 | 3796000 | 2064000 |
| 2010 | 3857000 | 2058000 |
| 2011 | 3963000 | 2212000 |
| 2012 | 3958000 | 2488000 |
| 2013 | 3912000 | 2572000 |
| 2014 | 3979000 | 2719000 |
| 2015 | 3820000 | 2666000 |
| 2016 | 4057000 | 2561000 |
| 2017 | 3956000 | 2574000 |
| 2018 | 3816000 | 2569000 |
| 2019 | 3822000 | 2439000 |
| 2020 | 3658000 | 2543000 |
| 2021 | 3676000 | 2509000 |
| 2022 | 3548000 | 2588000 |
Fewer than five sheep per person
The national sheep flock tallied 25.3 million at June 2022. This was a drop of 400,000 sheep compared with the previous year, representing a 2 percent decrease. Despite total sheep numbers continuing to fall there were 22 million lambs tailed in the 2021‒2022 year, still a substantial number.
“The ratio of sheep to people dropped below five to one in 2022, for the first time since the 1850s, when national sheep numbers were first recorded. In 1982 New Zealand sheep numbers famously sat at 22 per person. Australia currently has three times as many sheep as New Zealand, though their ratio is only around three sheep to every Aussie,” Attewell said.
Beef cattle number stabilises
The number of beef cattle has stabilised around 3.9 million. Beef cattle numbers, which peaked at 6.3 million in the 1970s, totalled 3.5 million in 2016, a historic low. More recently the number has stabilised and totalled 3.9 million in both 2019 and June 2022.
| At 30 June | Total beef cattle |
| 2002 | 4491000 |
| 2003 | 4627000 |
| 2004 | 4447000 |
| 2005 | 4424000 |
| 2006 | 4439000 |
| 2007 | 4394000 |
| 2008 | 4137000 |
| 2009 | 4101000 |
| 2010 | 3949000 |
| 2011 | 3846000 |
| 2012 | 3734000 |
| 2013 | 3699000 |
| 2014 | 3670000 |
| 2015 | 3547000 |
| 2016 | 3533000 |
| 2017 | 3616000 |
| 2018 | 3721000 |
| 2019 | 3890000 |
| 2020 | 3883000 |
| 2021 | 3965000 |
| 2022 | 3898000 |
Kiwifruit continue to shift from green to gold
Kiwifruit is New Zealand’s largest horticultural export (by value) and covered a total planted area of 14,700 hectares in 2022.
Over the last 10 years, the land area planted in gold kiwifruit has increased by 154 percent to 7,800 hectares, while the acreage in green kiwifruit has dropped by a third between 2012 and 2022.
Agricultural Production Census an important resource for New Zealand
The Agricultural Production Census 2022 provides a detailed snapshot of the country’s production and practices. The collection of data from farms, orchards, and forests across New Zealand gives a clearer picture of our largest export sector, primary production.
“Stats NZ thanks the tens of thousands of farmers, growers, and foresters who completed the Agricultural Production Census 2022. Their input helps shine a light on the importance of the industry in Aotearoa and will help shape its future,” Attewell said.
