Zealand Dairy Board Research Articles

The New Zealand Dairy Cooperatives’ Adaptation toChanging Market Conditions

This article examines the market conditions, the strategies, and the organizational structures of agricultural cooperatives. Based on the growing literature on cooperative organizational models, it is expected that the new organizational patterns in the New Zealand dairy cooperatives in the early 2000s are a consequence of market changes. Case studies of the three cooperatives are conducted, focusing on the organizational structures in terms of collective versus individualized attributes. The dissolution of the New Zealand Dairy Board created new market opportunities for the cooperatives. Hence, the co-operatives had reason to develop new market strategies, and in order to pursue these well, they changed their organizational structures. The observations indicate that more liberalized and open markets require cooperative organizational models with more individualized traits.

Reconstituting Motherhood: Milk Powder Marketing in Sri Lanka

Representations of motherhood are central to the process of constituting a market for milk powder in Sri Lanka. Mothers are the primary providers of food and nutrition for their families and communities and have a profound influence on food production and consumption. Consequently, a focus on mothers shapes the efforts of both the New Zealand Dairy Board, the main supplier of milk powder to Sri Lanka, and the Movement of Mothers to Combat Malnutrition, a nongovernmental organisation that promotes home gardening to combat high levels of malnutrition, and whose educational programmes discourage purchasing of milk powder in order to resist multinational food production. In drawing on specific representations of motherhood, each organisation articulates the needs of mothers in a specific form. In this paper we show how the market for milk powder in Sri Lanka emerges through and against these processes.

New Zealand dairy farmers as organisational learners

The dairy industry is an important element of the New Zealand economy, and its key producer organization (the New Zealand Dairy Board) views itself as being progressive in relation to the acquisition and adoption of technology. However it accepts that in order to remain price competitive in international markets, technological improvement is a continual necessity. As a result the Board needs to increase production efficiency by encouraging farmers to “learn about” (and adopt) new methods and processes. In 1997 the Board initiated a strategy for improving learning within farm organisations. A project was undertaken to examine the barriers to learning for farmers and to explore alternative methods for enhancing their learning. This paper reflects on the use of action research (AR) as one alternative method. In a case study on women dairy farmers, AR was used as a method of resolving an on‐farm technical issue. This process is compared with the discussion group method already used widely in the New Zealand dairy industry.

Enhancement of natural immune function by dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019)

To determine the effects of dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (strain HN019, DR10TM) on natural immunity. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Janeway Medical Centre, Memorial University, St Johns, Newfoundland. Twenty-five healthy elderly volunteers (median age 69 y; range 60-83 y). Twelve control subjects consumed 180 ml low-fat/low-lactose milk twice daily for a period of 6 weeks; 13 test subjects consumed milk supplemented with 1.5x1011 colony-forming units of B. lactis twice daily. Indices of natural immunity, including interferon production, phagocytic capacity and phagocyte-mediated bactericidal activity, were determined via peripheral blood at 0, 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-trial commencement. Subjects who consumed milk containing B. lactis for 6 weeks produced significantly enhanced levels of interferon-alpha, upon stimulation of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture, in comparison to the placebo control group who received milk alone. There were also significant increases in polymorphonuclear cell phagocytic capacity among test group subjects, following consumption of milk supplemented with B. lactis, while individuals who consumed B. lactis-supplemented milk or milk alone showed enhanced phagocyte-mediated bactericidal activity. The results demonstrate that dietary consumption of B. lactis HN019 can enhance natural immunity in healthy elderly subjects, and that a relatively short-term dietary regime (6 weeks) is sufficient to impart measurable improvements in immunity that may offer significant health benefits to consumers. Financial support for this project was provided by the New Zealand Dairy Board.

The New Zealand Dairy Board: A Case of Group-Internalization or a Monopolistic Anomaly in a Deregulated Free Market Economy

This paper examines the New Zealand dairy industry and in particular the pivotal role of the New Zealand Dairy Board which, historically, has had sole responsibility for the international marketing of dairy industry output. The structure of the dairy industry is examined identifying the links between the dairy cooperatives and the Board using the concepts of the ownership, location, internalization (OLI) paradigm and alliance capitalism. The paper concludes that the structure of the New Zealand dairy industry and the New Zealand Dairy Board, more closely resembles the network structures of alliance capitalism, rather than being a monopolistic anomaly in a hierarchical capitalist system.

Technical efficiency in the New Zealand dairy industry: A frontier production function approach

The objective of this paper is to investigate farm‐specific technical efficiency levels and the relationship between technical efficiency and farm size in the New Zealand dairy industry. Two types of stochastic frontier production function, translog and Cobb‐Douglas, were estimated using 1991–1992 data on 264 dairy farmers derived from an economic survey conducted by the New Zealand Dairy Board. Three alternative possibilities regarding the distribution of the inefficiency term were considered: half‐normal, truncated normal and exponential. Based on the results of the half‐normal translog frontier model, dairy farm technical efficiency was found to range from 76 to 95 percent, with an average of 90 percent. There was no significant difference in the average technical efficiency levels between large, medium and small farms. The results also suggest that New Zealand dairy farming is characterised by constant returns to scale.

Factors affecting magnesium concentration from June to March in spring‐calving dairy cows

Abstract A total of 109 cows calving in July and August in a breed × stocking rate trial at Ruakura were blood‐sampled for plasma magnesium (Mg) on seven occasions from June 1990 to March 1991. The objectives were to monitor the effects of month, breed, stocking rate, age, calving day, and covariation with yield of milksolids on Mg concentration. The Friesian and Jersey cows were sired by high breeding index New Zealand Dairy Board bulls, and low and high stocking rates were 3.02 and 3.98 cows/ha respectively for Friesian and 3.57 and 4.53 cows/ha for Jersey. Mg supplementation was applied before calving using MgO on pasture, hay, or silage. Once‐daily drenching with 10 g Mg/cow (as MgCl2) was carried out after calving and continued until November, before the fourth monthly sample was collected. Monthly mean Mg concentrations were 0.87, 0.91, 1.12, 1.06, 0.98, 0.94, and 0.93 mM/1 in June, August, October, December, January, February, and March. There were significant effects of breed in August, October, and overall, with higher Mg concentrations recorded in Jerseys than Friesians. Over all samplings, stocking rate was significant (P < 0.05), with a 4% lower concentration at the high than low stocking rate. In the two months when age was significant (December and January), cows of 5 years and older had lower Mg concentrations than younger cows. Date of calving was not a significant effect. The between‐cow repeatability of Mg concentration from month to month was 0.31 ± 0.04. The regressions of Mg concentration on yields of milk or milksolids were significant for February and March samples, but the regressions only accounted for a small percentage of Mg variation. In conclusion, for four herds supplemented with Mg from pre‐calving until November, there were only small differences in Mg concentration across management groups or breeds, and associations with yield were of minor importance.

The competitive strategy of the New Zealand dairy board

The core strategy of the New Zealand Dairy Board (NZDB) would transform thc organization into a multinational food company. This strategy promises to work effectively if assumptions made by NZDB officials about the future environment are correct. Research and development represent a problem for the firm and New Zealand's dairy industry. The innovative NZDB also faces major uncertainties if stripped of statutory authority to serve as monopoly exporter of New Zealand's dairy products or large firms copy its core strategy. Early mover advantages gained by the NZDB make it a strong competitor in international markets.

Comparative energy efficiencies of the dairy manufacturing and processing industry: Australia and new zealand

The Australian and New Zealand dairy industries process similar volumes of milk into a similar range of products. Energy efficiency studies in both industries reveal differences in specific energy consumption for particular products between the two countries. The average specific fuel consumption is lower for Australian market milk factories, where milk is packaged into cartons. In New Zealand, milk is packaged into bottles, and energy-intensive bottle washers are required. Average specific energy consumptions for cheddar cheese plants are similar in both countries. Average specific energy consumption in New Zealand milk powder plants is lower than in Australia. In most cases, the specific energy consumption of the newest New Zealand dairy plants is lower than the newest Australian plants. Possible reasons for the differences in energy consumption include: ⊎ different energy prices between the two countries; ⊎ higher availability of technical and engineering resources within individual New Zealand firms; ⊎ dairy engineers in Australia not generally part of the management team; and ⊎ focus for industry initiatives in New Zealand through the New Zealand Dairy Board and the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute.

Comparative energy efficiencies of the dairy manufacturing and processing industry: Australia and New Zealand

The Australian and New Zealand dairy industries process similar volumes of milk into a similar range of products. Energy efficiency studies in both industries reveal differences in specific energy consumption for particular products between the two countries. The average specific fuel consumption is lower for Australian market milk factories, where milk is packaged into cartons. In New Zealand, milk is packaged into bottles, and energy-intensive bottle washers are required. Average specific energy consumptions for cheddar cheese plants are similar in both countries. Average specific energy consumption in New Zealand milk powder plants is lower than in Australia. In most cases, the specific energy consumption of the newest New Zealand dairy plants is lower than the newest Australian plants. Possible reasons for the differences in energy consumption include: • • different energy prices between the two countries; • • higher availability of technical and engineering resources within individual New Zealand firms; • • dairy engineers in Australia not generally part of the management team; and • • focus for industry initiatives in New Zealand through the New Zealand Dairy Board and the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute.

DAIRYING WITH BORDER DYKE IRRIGATION

Dairying on border dykes is proving to be a viable alternative land use in Canterbury and North Otago. This 1984-85 season will see 20 border dyked farms in Mid-Canterbury area now dairying that have been converted from sheep to dairy in the past 6 years. The reason for this is simple. All the theoretical advantages of dairying on free draining irrigated land are real. I quote the Chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board when questioned at Ruakura Farmer's Conference this year about the industry of growth in this region'. He said, "I wish I had never gone to see the area - it's attractive land offering immense opportunity". We are now in our fifth season of production. I am finding the challenge of increasing production every bit as exciting now as it was in the first year.

Evidence of genetic improvement of New Zealand dairy cattle

Abstract The New Zealand Dairy Board, in organising the genetic improvement of dairy cattle, has the objective of maximising net income per farm. For given farm conditions this is achieved by maximising net income per cow. Because of the problems associated with measuring net income for each cow, selection has been based on milkfat production per cow, but other traits are monitored to prevent their deterioration. The genetic studies of dairy cattle in New Zealand are summarised. Evidence of genetic progress in milkfat per cow is reviewed. The evidence includes a controlled experiment conducted at the Ruakura No. 2 dairy farm, the comparison of Premier Sires Service (PSS) progeny with the progeny of other bulls in tested herds, and a comparison between short- and long-term users of PSS using marker bull techniques. Evidence that genetic improvement per cow in milkfat production is being accompanied by improved productive efficiency is found from a comparison of 507 paired herds.

Reviews

Noel S. Woods, Industrial Relations: A Search for Understanding (Wellington: Hicks Smith and Sons Ltd., 1975) Robert Catley and Bruce McFarlane, From Tweedledum to Tweedledee. (A.N.Z. Book Co. $3.25). A.H. Ward, A Command of Cooperatives. The development of leadership, marketing and price control in the cooperative dairy industry of New Zealand. (Wellington: New Zealand Dairy Board, 1975, pp. xv + 266). J. Fletcher (ed.), Economics Working Papers Bibliography 1974. (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: TRANS‐Media Publishing Co. in association with the University of Warwick, 1975. pp. 173. $US75.00 per annum). Graham Searle, Rush to Destruction: An Appraisal of the New Zealand Beech Forest Controversy. (Wellington: A.H. § A.W. Reed Ltd., 1975. pp. 217. $4.95). Wellington Regional Planning Authority, The Wellington Region Land Use and Transportation Study (WRLUTS). (Vol. 1, Written Statement, June 1975. pp. 130). E. Hirschberg, Nominalistic Principle. (Bar‐Ilan Research Monograph, Ramat Gan, Israel, 1971. pp. 138).

I. Losses between the conception of heifer replacements and their calving

Abstract Statistics derived from herds in the New Zealand Dairy Board's Sire Proving Scheme have been used to estimate sources of wastage of artificially bred (A.B.) replacement heifers from their conception to their calving and coming into production. A group of 100 cows all reported. in calf to A.B. sires at the conclusion of mating will produce 29 heifer replacements in milk in the herd three seasons later. Sillce the average herd wastage rate is 21% at least 72% of a herd must be in calf to A.B. sires if all replacement heifers are to be A.B: progeny. The calving rate (percent of cows reported in calf to A.B. which calve to A.B.) is lower for cows msemmated With Friesian semen than With Jersey semen, but this is offset by the lower death rate of heifer calves sired by Friesian bulls. Significant breed differences were found in sources of wastage in heifer calves from birth to identification but seasonal differences were more important from heifer identification to their calving at 2 years of age.

The effect of benzyl alcohol on the oestrous cycle of cattle.

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 49, Issue 5 p. 267-268 THE EFFECT OF BENZYL ALCOHOL ON THE OESTROUS CYCLE OF CATTLE K. L. MACMILLAN M. Agr.Sc., Ph.D., K. L. MACMILLAN M. Agr.Sc., Ph.D. Research Officer, New Zealand Dairy Board, P.O. Box 232, Feilding, New Zealand.Search for more papers by this author K. L. MACMILLAN M. Agr.Sc., Ph.D., K. L. MACMILLAN M. Agr.Sc., Ph.D. Research Officer, New Zealand Dairy Board, P.O. Box 232, Feilding, New Zealand.Search for more papers by this author First published: May 1973 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1973.tb05227.xCitations: 6AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume49, Issue5May 1973Pages 267-268 RelatedInformation

An investigation of the fertility of a random sample of waikato dairy herds

Abstract Extract Inability to get cows to calve at the required time is a serious problem in the dairy and beef industries. It is particularly important to dairy factory supply herds in New Zealand, where COWS must calve during late winter to make the best use of the spring and early summer growth of pasture. The New Zealand Dairy Board has given, the overall incidence of dairy herd infertility and has described the main type which occurs. The Board's data are summarized here : a. 60 to 66 per cent. (average 62 per cent.) of cows in 41 herds from 1940 to 1951, and 61 to 64 per cent. (average 63 per cent.) of COWS in 184 herds from 1945 to 1951, held to first service. (New Zealand Dairy Board, Report No. 28, 1952.)b. 5.6 to 11.2 per cent. (average 7.9 per cent.) of cows in 41 herds from 1940 to 1951, and 5.7 to 8.1 per cent. (average 7.0 per cent.) of cows in 184 herds from 1945 to 1951, were empty at the end of each breeding season. (Report No. 28, 1952.)c. The fertility level of individual herds varied from year to year. Within a period of seven years, nine of a random sample of twelve herds had at least one season in which the first service N.R. (non-return) rate was less than 50 per cent. and ten of the twelve herds had at least one year in which the first service N.R. rate was 70 per cent. or higher. (Report No. 28, 1952.)d. Each year approximately 15 to 20 per cent. of herds experienced a breeding problem. (Report No. 28, 1952.)e. The problems were mainly of temporary, sterility—i.e.; a low proportion of cows holding to first service with a high proportion of cows empty at the end of the breeding season. Eighty percent of these empty cows held when mated in the next breeding season. (Report No. 23, 1997.)f. Approximately half of the empty cows are culled at the end of their current lactation. (Report No. 23. 1947.)g. 3.63 per cent. of 246,989 cows were culled in the 1955–6 season for sterility and/or abortion. This was 20.4 per cent. of the total herd wastage in the sample and was by far the biggest cause of disease culling.h. There was no evidence that high-producing cows were less fertile than low-producing cows. (Report No. 32, 1956.)

Administrative Law—Natural Justice—Right to a Hearing

In this article, Robin Cooke discusses when the administrative law duty to provide a hearing to persons likely to be prejudicially affected arises. He discusses this duty, also known as the rule audi alteram partem, in light of R v Metropolitan Police Commissioner [1953] 1 WLR 1150 (QB). He compares the “form over substance” approach adopted by Lord Chief Justice Goddard with the approach of the New Zealand Court of Appeal in New Zealand Dairy Board v Okitu Dairy Co Ltd [1953] NZLR 366 (CA). After providing three caveats to his advice, Mr Cooke draws from these and other cases seven factors indicating that a right to a hearing should be implied. Abstract by Tim Cochrane.