Critical weeks ahead for Waikato

"This is the fourth drought for us in six years and the situation is getting emotionally taxing for some farmers," says Waikato Federated Farmers president James Houghton.

Figures from Waikato Regional Council discussed at the teleconference showed rainfall at Ruakura for the three months to March were the second lowest on record, and there are some very significant soil moisture deficits from around the region.

Farmer representatives talked of:

• the drought conditions being similar to 2013

• high stress levels on some farms

• frustration that Cyclone Lusi hadn't provided the good rainfall hoped

• concern the forecasts show ongoing low rainfall

• some dairy farmers drying off early or going to once a day milking earlier than usual

• some sheep and beef farmers facing significant feed deficits and challenges breeding replacement stock in successive droughts

• availability of supplementary feed tightening up fast

There was also concern about access to stock water in places.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand extension manager Andrew Jolly says the drought is a serious concern for sheep and beef farmers in large parts of Waikato and King Country.

"There are a range of dry management tools and information that have been emailed through to farmers. I urge farmers to use those resources to make the best decisions for their farm."

The Rural Support Trust reported farmers generally coping OK, without any need for government recovery measures, but that problems could grow if the lack of rainfall continued.

"The trust will be keeping a very close ear to the ground to monitor what's happening in the rural community so we can step up support as required. It is critical that we get rain to kick-start pasture recovery over autumn before it gets too cold," says chairman Neil Bateup.

Farmers can contact the Rural Support Trust for confidential advice and support.

At this stage there are no plans for the region to seek a medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government, which would provide for recovery assistance measures, due to the fact that farmers are generally coping and there has been plenty of feed available. However, there is no doubt there is a localised-scale drought under the Government's primary sector recovery policy.

Farmer representatives and officials will be staying in regular touch and sharing information so that they can collectively ramp up the region's response to the drought as required.

Waikato Regional Council resource use group manager Chris McLay says the organisation is ready to reconvene the regional drought committee if the situation warranted.

"The next few weeks will be a critical time. We need rain to ensure pasture can recover and livestock can be in optimal condition going into winter and next season."
Houghton stressed to farmers: "You are not alone, talk to your neighbours, consultants, accountants, banks, DairyNZ, Beef+LambNZ. Farmers are resilient and together we will overcome the challenges of the drought."