Mild conditions that have triggered an early start to spring, also got the new season's milk production off to a flying start, at least in the dairy heartland, Waikato.
Tatua dairy co-operative near Morrinsville, says the milk flow is ahead of this time last year, when production was heading for a record, before the summer drought hit.
Chief executive Paul McGilvary said appropriate levels of rain and warm temperatures have ensured good grass growth and on a daily basis milk flow is about 10% ahead of last year.
He said farmers are very hopeful there won't be another dry summer and if this continues it will be a big year.
