Dairy co-operative Fonterra is to extend an initiative which aims to help young and new farmers establish themselves in the sector, and buy their own farms.
MyMilk is a Fonterra-backed company which provides farmers with a pathway into the co-op, by allowing them to supply milk for up to five years without having to buy shares.
The scheme has been running in the South Island for five years and will now be extended to the North Island.
It would also be provided to existing Fonterra farmers looking to grow through purchasing another Fonterra farm..
Young Southland farmers Don and Jess Moore were among those who have benefited from the scheme.
"It's been awesome to have the opportunity that MyMilk gives us by providing a pathway through stepping from share-milking to farm ownership," said Don Moore.
"MyMilk is an opportunity to keep growing and stay with the co-op, and we're delighted more farming families will be given that chance."
First launched in 2014 in the South Island, MyMilk has had more than 145 dairy farmers involved over that time across Southland, Otago and Canterbury.
MyMilk will be available in the North Island for supply starting from 1 June 2020.
