New Zealand milk production was down 5.5% YOY in milksolids terms in December and 5.0% YOY on a volume basis according to DCANZ. December was the fifth consecutive month of YOY decline in milk output. On a milksolids basis, season to date (Jun – Dec) was 3.2% behind the prior season comparable, and 3.3% behind the five-year average.

The latest soil moisture anomaly map shows drier than normal soils across most of New Zealand with most of the North Island recording little to no rain so far in January – with average falls 10% of normal rainfall according to NIWA.