Editorial: Preparing for drought
OPINION: Farmers along the east coast of both islands are being urged to start planning for drought as recent nor'west winds have left soil moisture levels depleted.
The ministry is monitoring the weather closely and keeping ministers updated. It is also working through Rural Support Trust branches and industry groups to ensure support for farmers.
"In many drought-hit areas, particularly Canterbury and Marlborough, the rain was a great morale booster," says MPI's director of resource policy David Wansbrough.
"Crop farmers have had a better start to the year, as any good rainfall like this helps new crop growth. But where pasture has died from over a year of dry weather more rain will be needed to break the drought and it will be months before production recovers.
"Much of Otago was less lucky and didn't receive the rainfall of their northerly neighbours. In Strath Taieri some locals are saying it's the driest they have ever seen it."
Rural Support Trust reports that the financial and emotional impact of drought is starting to pinch some farmers. (Farmers and their families can contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 for advice and information; or Federated Farmers feed line on 0800 376 844 to help get feed to drought-hit farms.)
"Increasingly dry Northland did particularly well out of this month's deluge, getting up to 80mm of rain, but has since been hammered by strong easterly winds which hasten soil drying and it can damage some crops."
MPI continues to monitor soil moisture deficits in the North Island, knowing many farmers are still recovering from the June 2015 storms in Taranaki and Whanganui.
