Northland dairy farmers are being told to keep their cows off pastures to avoid further damage.

Recent wet weather in the region has left soil damp and soft. 

DairyNZ Northland Regional Leader, Tafi Manjala says leaving stock on these pastures for too long can cause pugging.

He says pugging compromises pasture performance by 50 percent for up to eight months.

– Newstalk ZB