A number of farms are converting to dairy, but cow numbers still lag behind previous peaks

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.

It comes as farmers in areas like the arable industry, struggle to record profits.

Federated Farmers National Dairy Chair Karl Dean says peak cow numbers hit almost 10 years ago.

He says, there's more land use outside of dairy than there is coming into it.