Thursday, 24 January 2013 15:34

Close eye on Waikato conditions

Written by 

The Waikato Regional Council says it's keeping a close watch on dry conditions in the region.

"Soil moisture levels in the region are down on normal for this time of year, so we're keeping an eye on how things go given the potential for any ongoing dry weather to affect farming and other activities," says chairman Peter Buckley, a north Waikato dairy farmer.

"The conditions this summer were predicted and we're not hearing any widespread reports of dry weather-related stress amongst the Waikato farming community or elsewhere at this point.

"But, in liaison with other agencies such as the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Rural Support Trust, we'll continue to keep track of soil moisture and waterway levels, and monitor how the rural community in particular is faring.

"I encourage people to use water wisely given the current conditions."

Several times in recent years, the regional council has been involved with establishing a multi-agency regional drought committee to coordinate responses to summer drought situations.

More like this

$52,500 fine for effluent mismanagement

A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.

Featured

LIC ends year with $30.6m profit

Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter