Here you’ll find details on how your Farm Dairy Records support milk quality, build trust with customers and regulators, and feed into your Farm Insights Report.
Summary:
Your records help support our market claims and emissions figures for our sustainability reporting; they also help create your personalised Farm Insights Report.
Record as you go
Farm Dairy Records are now open throughout the season, so you can keep your records up to date and reduce the need to enter everything at the end of the year.
You can enter records at a time that suits you using the Dairy Diary app or Farm Source website.
- Farm Dairy Records open in August
- The submission period opens in May
- Completed records must be submitted by 30 June 2027
You must complete Farm Dairy Records by the 30th of June to meet Fonterra's Terms of Supply.
Full Farm Dairy Records
This option is required if you're participating in the Co-operative Difference.
The Full Farm Dairy Records provide the most complete picture of your farm. They also enable a more detailed Farm Insights Report, including emissions data.
With the right data connections in place, up to 70% of your records can be automatically pre-populated.
Basic Farm Dairy Records
This is a simplified version with fewer questions, particularly in areas such as Animals and Fertiliser. This option was implemented for the 2025/26 season.
- Meets Terms of Supply requirements
- Not eligible for the Co-operative Difference
- No new questions have been added this season
We've made a few updates for the 2026/27 season to improve reporting and meet evolving sustainability requirements.
Most of the questions below are in the Farm Profile section of your Farm Dairy Records. Once you answer them, they can pre-populate in future seasons. You’ll only need to update them if something changes on farm.
The exception is the update to the carry-over cows question, which sits within the Animals section.
Q. Have you been involved in any groups or programmes aimed at improving the environment during the 2026/27 season?
This question replaces the previous water catchment group question. It helps us understand the environmental initiatives farmers are involved in across their communities, including both water and land-based practices.
Q. What types of electricity generation do you use on your farm?
Options include:
- None
- Solar
- Wind
- Hydro
- Biogas
Q. How much power did you use from on farm electricity generation during the 2026/27 season (kWh)?
Why are we asking?
These questions have been requested by farmers for the last few years to allow you to have this recognised when calculating farm emissions.
Q. Has changing weather or severe weather events impacted your farm?
Why are we asking?
We're collecting this information to better understand how weather patterns are affecting farms and how farmers are adapting over time. This helps us identify where support may be needed.
Q. Are you aware of any of the following on your farm?
- Adverse people issues (including in relation to human rights, employment relations, immigration, and health and safety)?
- Adverse environmental or land-use issues?
- Adverse animal welfare issues?
If yes, what was the issue and please tell us any steps you've taken to address it.
Why are we asking?
Fonterra is required to understand and report on potential human rights and environmental risks for customer and regulatory reporting requirements that support access to markets. It also assists Fonterra to identify where further support may be needed.
Q. What type of winter grazing system is used if cattle are grazed off the milking platform?
- N/A
- Grass/ Baleage
- Crop Both
Why are we asking?
This question helps us manage risk from public perception and allows us to make our emissions calculations for off farm grazing more accurate.
Q. What type/s of electric farm vehicles do you have?
Options include:
- None
- Motorbike
- UTE
- Tractor
- 4x4/Side-by-Side
- Other
Why are we asking?
These questions have been requested by farmers for the last few years to allow you to have this recognised when calculating farm emissions.
Q. Closing monthly total of Carry-Over Cows Grazed Off Farm
Last season we asked farmers if they had carryovers on the dairy farm effective area but the feedback from farmers has highlighted that for farmers to reconcile their information from data partners, we also need carry-over cows grazed off the dairy farm effective area.
Most farmers can significantly reduce data entry by connecting their Farm Dairy Records to trusted partners.
Data connections can automatically bring information into your records, helping save time and improve accuracy throughout the season.
Need help with your Farm Dairy Records?
Reach out to your Farmer Support Team on 0800 65 65 68.
Thriving in a harmonised, regulated marketplace
When farmers hear the words market activity and regulation, understandably, most just think “compliance”. The underlying reason for why we request certain behaviours or data is often lost.