Displaying items by tag: Drought

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

A leading farm consultant says it's likely the dairy season in the Waikato will come to a premature end because of the drought.

More than 2,000 farmers in drought-stricken areas of the country are now seeking support from the Rural Support Trust (RST).

OPINION: As of last Thursday, five regions – Taranaki, Northland, Waikato, Horizons and Marlborough-Tasman – had been declared medium-scale adverse events.

Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.

Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.

After a dry summer, the challenge is what comes in autumn, according to Ballance Agri Nutrients science strategy manager Warwick Catto.

Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the present weather conditions remain challenging for farmers.

Dairy farmers are faring well despite data showing above average temperatures for most of the country.

Farmers on the east coast of the North Island are facing a quandary as hot, dry weather and dropping soil moisture levels persist.