Help available if El Nino plays out

"If a drought is declared we are the ones who usually help disseminate information on assistance that could be available," she told the Northland Beef + Lamb NZ farmer council annual meeting in Whangarei.

"We can then access, through the Ministry for Social Development, what they call rural support assistance payments, available to people who are finding it really difficult to cope financially."

She said if you sell beef stock, for instance, because the animals could not be kept on the farm but the proceeds are needed to restock, that money is ring-fenced. So the money a household needs perhaps to put food on the table is not drawn from that.

"That is an option available – asset tested but not taking into account capital you have to use for the farm," Jonker said.

If a "particularly unkind" El Nino develops the trust will increase the number of collaboration dinners, sponsored by various companies, so farmers can network.

A farmer told her during one El Nino that they kept getting south-westerly showers in the north that mitigated the situation somewhat.

"But we don't know what it will do. So we are trying to get information out early. It is far better to get that information and be able to plan than be taken by surprise."

On her farm they have destocked by 50% because they don't want to get caught with animal welfare issues if it does get dry.

Also available through the trust are facilitators – retired farmers, beef or dairy – people who have been in rural banking.

"So if someone is overwhelmed they sometimes can't see where they're going. These guys are really good at having a look at the situation, having a talk to you – pointing you in the right direction, to where to get help, then helping you to get that.

"We're not aligned to anybody, we're not doing something because we're directed to; this is something put in place to help the rural community."

It extends not only to beef and lamb farmers but also dairy farmers, contractors or anybody who makes their living from primary industry.