Some dairy farm owners say they have been forced back onto the early shift at their farms because of the recession.
Unemployment figures released yesterday show agriculture was one of the hardest hit industries during the June quarter, along with the major farming region of Waikato.
Waikato Federated Farmers president Stew Wadey says many owners of smaller dairy farms are laying off managers and running the operation themselves.
He predicts unemployment in the agriculture industry will continue to rise, saying cashflow is tight and paid help is a luxury.