THE area to be discussed is on the Central Plateau and part of the coastal Bay of Plenty, and is of approximately 9520 km'. Some 3 000 farmers are carrying approximately 300 000 dairy cows, 2 000 000 sheep, 300 000 beef cattle and 10 000 deer, and there is a marked move towards diversification, particularly into kiwifruit growing and other subtropical fruits on the coastal strip.
