Dargaville farmers Malcolm and Kylie Welsh say their herd will be dried off within the next few days - four to six weeks earlier than a normal season.
The farm's pasture conditions have not changed since Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy declared an official Northland drought there just over a month ago.
The farm is now milking only 130 cows of the normal 330 herd - 40 had already been dried off at the time of the minister's visit, the rest in the last four weeks.
The herd is milked on a dairy platform of 115ha on Baylys Coast Rd.
Mr Welsh estimates costs of lost production and extra supplementary feed will result in a farm loss in excess of $100,000. More roll-on costs are likely, particularly if there is no pasture growth before winter as additional supplements will be needed. Adding to the woes, maize crop yields are down due to the drought.