Dairy farmers are being asked to help find a cure for breast cancer by donating milk solids to fund research.

The Dairy Women's Network of New Zealand and Breast Cancer Cure is encouraging farmers to authorise Fonterra to pay the value of a minimum of 5kg of milk solids a month to the fund.

Dame Trelise Cooper gumboots will be won by the first 1000 farmers to sign up to donate milk solids.

The first 1000 farmers to join will receive a free pair of fashion gumboots designed by Dame Trelise Cooper, sponsored by ANZ and Skellerup.

Phillipa Green of BCC says one in nine women in New Zealand will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime; one woman every three hours will be told they have the disease and most upsettingly, nearly two women will die from breast cancer every day

'These numbers demonstrate the impact breast cancer has on Kiwi women – and we want to change this. By 2018, we have a vision – to find a cure. We're close, but we're not there yet.

'With the dairy industry being such a big sector in New Zealand, we are working together with the Dairy Women's Network and calling for the support of dairy farmers across New Zealand to help fight cancer face on – by donating milk solids to our charity each month.

'Funds raised from the donations of milk solids will go directly towards scientific research – helping push the boundaries of cancer studies giving researchers the freedom they need to find a cure, as we're serious about saving the lives of the next generation of Kiwi women.”

Tony Moffatt, Chairman of Breast Cancer Cure says the average age of women on dairy farms is 58.

'Farming women affected by breast cancer are often in especially difficult circumstances as it can be hard for them to leave their farms, and they are further away from treatment and support networks. We're calling on farming communities to rally together to help their own.”

To sign up to donate milk solids go here: