Repeatedly low wheat prices are driving more farmers to turn to dairy.

The Canterbury Regional Council says up to 25-thousand more dairy cows could be added to the region this year - with 32 new farms given the green light.

Federated Farmers' confidence survey in July found 81 percent of dairy farmers surveyed were making a profit, compared to just 40 percent of arable.

National Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Mike Hosking that dairy has a more consistent cash flow.

He says arable farmers are the ones with the land to convert.

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