More regions to face drought declarations
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.
While it has been a great spring and summer for farmers, soil moisture levels in the Waikato are now plummeting as the dry February starts to bite.
The Waikato and South Auckland Primary Industry Adverse Event Cluster core group convened earlier this week to collectively review conditions and information from farmers and growers across the region.
The group was set up in 2016 to bring together agencies from the primary industries, central and local governments to prepare for and coordinate responses to adverse events.
Ohinewai farmer and group chairperson, Neil Bateup says usual summer conditions have returned to the regions.
He adds that it’s good to see farmers are generally well-prepared.
“There is plenty of supplementary feed about for stock at present following a good spring and farmers generally are reported to be coping,” Bateup says.
“With no significant rain forecast for the region in the near future we want to reassure farmers that we’ve got this situation on our radar and we’re looking out for them.”
Bateup encourages people to look after their own wellbeing and take a moment to check on neighbours.
“Farmers will need to be agile,” he says. “It will rain and conditions will improve, but we do not know if this will be early or late March.”
Bateup says farmers should stay in contact with rural professionals and graziers, to regularly review feed and financial budgets, and have a plan B and plan C.
“Influence what you can control, particularly the communication with others, and planning,” he concludes.
An Auckland man who illegally killed and sold pigs and a chicken has been fined $8,000.
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says it welcomes recently announced consultation on Pharmac’s funding of ostradiol patches used by women going through perimenopause and menopause.
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Farmer-owned co-operative Ravensdown is winding down the operations of its agritech subsidiary C-Dax following a long decline in sales.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…