Rural Contractors NZ (RCNZ) is concerned about Fonterra's moves to extend the time it takes to pay contractors as part of an efficiency drive.

Plantings of one the dairy industry's most popular supplements is way down right across the country.

It has been a tough year so far for rural contractors with the pressure on the dairy sector, while many areas – such as Southland and the West Coast – are too wet to do anything.

Agricultural contractors around the country will soon be able to bring in overseas workers far easier than in the past following a deal between its national body and Immigration NZ.