D-day looms for drought-hit farmers

More than 80,000 sheep have been forced off-farm in Cheviot alone; a decision to bring them back from grazing must be made within two weeks.

However, if the rains stay away and paddocks remain parched, most of the breeding stock will have to be sold. Some farmers have already offloaded stock and are bracing for huge financial losses.

Cheviot farmer and local drought committee member Nick Ensor says the harsh reality is that a lot these ewes are unlikely to come home to lamb.

Ensor says agents and meat processors have been given a heads-up. 

“We are in talks with stock-agents and freezing works; letting them know potentially 30,000 ewes from Cheviot alone could require a novel solution before August” Ensor told Rural News. 

Ensor says other affected areas in North Canterbury will also face a similar situation.

“D-day is looming for Cheviot and North Canterbury; farmers will need to make a decision at least 4 weeks prior to lambing on how many stock can come home. It’s quite scary; the flow-on effects on the region will be massive,” he says.

Federated Farmers, stock agents, meat companies and other stakeholders are working together to assist affected farmers.

“We have got all the meat processors together in a bid to stay one step ahead of this beast otherwise it will totally consume us,” says Ensor.

Cheviot, one of the hardest hit areas in North Canterbury, has 103 farmers; all have suffered losses.

Greg Chamberlain, who farms 500ha in Domett, 3km south of Cheviot, is bracing for drought-related costs and losses to top $500,000 this year. Winter signals the wet season, but the rains have kept away; rainfall over the past 12 months on the farm has been 60% below average.

Chamberlain normally has 3000 sheep and 300 cattle roaming the paddocks at this time of the year; the farm has only 30 rams and 140 cattle left. He sold 1000 ewes and sent another 1300 for grazing, along with 550 hoggets and the rest of his cattle.

“I have been farming here for 25 years and this is by far the worst dry season for us,” he told Rural News. 

“Normally this time of the year, I would be shifting six to eight break fences a day…. Sheep are normally wintered on an all grass system, so I shift breaks for them but this year if you shift a break you don’t know which way to shift them.”

Chamberlain is worried about 1300 ewes sent for grazing; they are due to come back early next month.

“The issue now is whether we can bring any back; I may have to sell them or get someone to share farm.

“If we don’t get 4 inches of rain in the next month we are probably looking at totally destocking and not bringing any ewes back; maybe 300-400 if we can, but most ewes would have to be sold.”

Chamberlain has spent $100,000 on feed and grazing stock this year; with 2000 lambs down on last year he expects $180,000 loss in earnings, based on last year’s average prices. If the remaining ewes don’t come back, he will take another $150,000 hit. Chamberlain will also spend more to replace stock and lose out on wool income of $30,000.

While Cheviot and surrounding areas received some rain last week, more is needed.

“The long range forecast for the next three months is below average rainfall,” he says. “People banking on the rain to arrive are beginning to worry; the mood’s dropping as the reality hits home.”

“People have spent money to buy feed in the hope the rains will come; now they have handed stock to someone else to look after them.

“Most of the stock are unlikely to come back; farmers realise it’s out of their hands and they are losing control of the situation.”