Westbrooke, VictoriaNuthall, P2016-05-192015Westbrooke, V. & Nuthall, P. (2015). Smaller scale New Zealand dairy farmers: The context for future innovations. Rural Extension & Innovation Systems Journal, 11(1), 53-61.2204-8758DJ4XS (isidoc)https://hdl.handle.net/10182/6977There is a wide variation in the scale of New Zealand dairy herds, 18% of farmers manage more than 600 cows, while 69% of farmers have herds with less than 400 cows (DairyNZ & LIC 2012/13). The smaller scale farms, those with less than 400 cows, are important due to the proportion of the industry they represent, yet little research has been conducted in New Zealand into their particular needs or context. Understanding these farmers’ goals, plans and challenges is critical to developing innovations and extension programs tailored specifically to their needs. Farmers with less than 400 cows were surveyed (n=346) by telephone in October and November 2014. On average respondents milked 240 cows on 97 ha, employed staff and had a low level of debt as a proportion of their business assets (33%). Respondents strongly agreed that earning maximum sustainable net cash returns and planning for reasonable holidays and leisure time was important, but were neutral regarding the importance of passing the farm onto family members. Farmers were planning no major changes in farm ownership, but the majority were planning to lift production by more than 10%, and reduce the already low debt levels further and employ a non-family employee to do the majority of the work. The key challenges identified by the famers were ‘environmental regulation and compliance’, followed by ‘finding suitable staff’, then various capital and cash-flow factors were considered moderately challenging. Two key outcomes of the research are: 1. The most likely future plans of New Zealand smaller scale dairy farmers is described, which can inform the development of future programs and innovations. 2. The key challenges for smaller scale farmers plans are identified and ranked. It is concluded that a range of exit strategies need to be developed for smaller scale farmers without successors, which meets both their financial and personal needs.pp.53-61, 8 pagesen© Copyright APENsmall dairy farmbusiness strategiesplanningsuccessionJournal ArticleANZSRC::070106 Farm Management, Rural Management and Agribusiness2204-8766