Pastoral Farming
The combined pastoral farming sector is the largest contributor to Northland’s GDP, and still has great growth potential
Dairy, Beef and Sheep
The agricultural sector including dairying, beef, sheep and deer, contributes just over $1 billion annually to the Northland economy. There are more than 4,600 farming and farming related businesses in Northland and the sector provides over 14% of the regions jobs.
Northland has a long history of dairy farming, with a large number of farms calving in the autumn to take advantage of winter pasture growth.
Beef farming is an important part of the Northland pastoral sector, with a mixture of breeding and finishing properties.
The development of facial eczema resistant sheep has seen resurgence in ewe numbers and many farmers are incorporating sheep into profitable farm systems.
Good Growing Weather
About 840,000 hectares of land are in pasture and Northland's sub-tropical climate provides an advantage not enjoyed by other regions in New Zealand. Farmers use Northlands relative advantage of warm winters as a competitive advantage to grow stock during the lucrative winter and spring months.
Processing
Dairy giant Fonterra operates from two sites in the region, Whangarei and Maungaturoto. Ballance Agri-Nutrients, a major supplier of fertiliser to rural industries is based in the Whangarei Port precinct.
Two processing companies operate in Northland, AFFCO and Silverfern Farms Richmond with plants in Moerewa and Dargaville respectively.
Growth
This sector has more potential for growth and even a 1% increase in productivity would return an additional $10 million to the regional economy. Previous research has driven the pastoral sector to double productivity in the last 15 years and it is essential that the region continues to coordinate research needs to ensure productivity continues to grow.
With the continued implementation of best practice, existing and new technology, alternative land use and smart marketing this sector will continue to be Northland’s largest.
Join Northland on: Twitter Facebook YouTube Tumblr