Tuesday, 01 April 2025 11:55

Top farm consultant predicts early end to Waikato dairy season

Written by  Peter Burke
James Allen, Ag First, is predicting the season may end three to four weeks earlier than normal for some Waikato farmers. James Allen, Ag First, is predicting the season may end three to four weeks earlier than normal for some Waikato farmers.

A leading farm consultant says it's likely the dairy season in the Waikato will come to a premature end because of the drought.

James Allen, Ag First, is predicting the season may end three to four weeks earlier than normal as the situation gets tight for dairy farmers in that region.

He says while most of the region had about 20mm of rain recently, which was very welcome, it certainly wasn't enough to be a drought breaker. He says although more rain is expected, that will not change the situation much.

"There isn't much feed at all and it's still dry. What is keeping farmers going is that maize crops are pretty good with some quite good yields coming off. Any spare maize that wasn't contracted has now been taken," he says.

Allen says around central and south Waikato it's very dry but in the hill towards Te Aroha some farmers report that they have 80mm of rain.

"But only a few pockets of the region have got lucky," he says.

Allen says dairy farmers in the region are generally coping pretty well compared to previous droughts as they are resilient and are just getting on with it. He says this is because the payout is high and they have had a lot of supplement on hand - prices for which have held and not gone crazy.

Allen says crunch time is looming and decisions on the culling of cows and drying off will be made from now on. He says people have been poking a lot of supplement into their cows and kept on milking but says the maths on this are really not working out.

"It's about focusing on next season so protecting pastures and cow condition is now the priority," he says.

Allen says farmers should be turning their minds to 2026 and working out the amount of supplement and pasture cover they have and set targets for the next season.

For dairy farmers generally in the main north island regions of Northland, Waikato and Taranaki the drought has taken its toll with the extreme dry weather. But Allen says down in Canterbury they are having an amazing season and he says Southland has also recovered well.

More like this

Rain misses Taranaki region

The 'atmospheric river' of rain that swept down the country last week almost completely avoided one of the worst drought-affected regions in the country – coastal Taranaki.

Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Lame stories from a country vet

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Greenpeace a charity?

OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter