Marlborough drought declaration welcomed

These comments come as the Government classified the top of the South Island as medium-scale adverse drought event, which has been welcomed by local farmers.

Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event. He says this formally acknowledges the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district.

McClay says these districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell and knows this has made day-to-day conditions on the ground extremely tough for farmers and growers.

“I know farmers and growers in other parts of the country are also experiencing dry conditions and we’re keeping a close eye on the situation in those regions.”

Meanwhile, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson has been in the region to see firsthand the problems facing farmers and growers.

“This decision to declare a drought will unlock further support for farmers and growers, including tax support,” Patterson explains. “This is on top of funding of up to $20,000 made available to the Top of the South Rural Support Trust last month to provide extra support.”

Local Federated Farmers provincial president Evan White says it’s a huge relief for local farmers that the Government has recognised the severity of the drought. He says even just having recognition of how extreme things have been will go some way to boosting morale – particularly in areas where they’ve been hit the hardest, like south of Blenheim.

“Creeks that have never dried up before have stopped flowing, everything has browned off, and 50-yearold native plantings are starting to die. Stock water is under real pressure as wells dry up. Summer crops are failing, and farmers are having to chew into livestock feed set aside for winter,” he says.

White adds that even if there was rain now, it’s debatable how much good it will do this late in the season. He says it’s been a challenging season already with low stock prices, especially for lamb. Inflation and rising interest rates are also hitting the sector hard.