Feed statistics reflect the growth of New Zealand dairy production
Annual Feed Production Statistics compiled by the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers Association (NZFMA) for the year 2013 reflect the changing face of feed production. Based on figures supplied by NZFMA member companies nationwide, the NZFMA annual statistics report the total tonnages of manufactured animal feed and the tonnages of raw materials used in the production of compound feed in New Zealand. (Compound feed is heat-treated feed produced in a feed mill in pellet or mashed form.)
In 2013, compound feed production increased by 2.8% to 991,027 tonnes and raw material usage rose by 4.1% to 983,440 tonnes. The four main grains used were wheat (58.8%), barley (17.4%), sorghum (12.2%) and maize (10.3%). The majority of compound feed was produced in the North Island (65.3%). 86% of compound feed is currently produced in bulk form and 14% is bagged.
The big change reflected in the statistics, which include species-specific information, is the growth of the dairy sector. The poultry meat industry remains the largest user of compound feed at 41% but the 2013 figures are notable for showing the considerable growth of dairy use. At 17.3% it is now the second largest user.
The growth in dairy consumption from 5.5% in 2002 to the present figure represents a 215% increase. This growth does not take into account a parallel increase in imports of palm kernel and production of blended feeds for the dairy sector. By contrast, pig consumption declined slightly from 2012 to 15% and layer hen use was 13.4%.
