A Northland farm consultant is concerned at the loss in cow condition over the last two months.

As the cows cram into Randal Inch's milking shed you realise space is at a premium on this small North Canterbury dairy farm on the outskirts of Rangiora.

Landcorp will not renew its sharemilking contract with Shanghai Pengxin Group (SPG) when it concludes at the end of May 2017.

The wheels under Glen Herud's milking shed are the first indication he isn't your run-of-the-mill dairy farmer.

'Farmers stealing from farmers' is how dairy farmer David Quigley describes thieves stealing 36 of his premier milking cows in night-time raids in December.

Every year New Zealand dairy farmers spend at least $400 million on animal health. This value encompasses all costs – from antibiotic treatment, through to drenches and minerals.

The dairy is a significant investment and can have a major impact on milking efficiency and the comfort of cows and milkers.

The farm dairy is literally the heart of the farm and the need to replace, renovate or build new is a significant event in the life of any farmer and any farm.

Having a skilled and motivated farm team is the foundation of a successful dairy farm.

Landcorp Farming and Northland iwi Te Rarawa and Ngai Takoto have joined forces to run Sweetwater farm, a 2480ha property north-west of Kaitaia.