Displaying items by tag: Drought

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy says rural communities have bounced back strongly after this year's drought, with the official declaration ending today (September 30).

An MPI report has confirmed that the 2013 drought was the worst in nearly 70 years.

Gross domestic product (GDP) rose just 0.3% in the March 2013 quarter with effects of the drought kicking in.

The drought cost $1.3billion to June 30, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says, in its Situation and Outlook report.

DROUGHT RAVAGED farmers are turning to ANZ for financial relief and assistance.

MOST DAIRY farms are only slowly emerging from the drought that has been a sharp shock to farm management plans this summer. For most farms the production season has ended abruptly, and prospects for autumn and winter have been affected dramatically. 

Federated Farmers adverse effects spokeswoman Katie Milne says she is amazed that Westpac economists believe the drought may have no effect on the economy because of rising dairy prices.

UMBRELLAS AND wet weather gear were in order for farmers attending the organic dairying conference at Woodville last week.

The Waikato Regional Council says it hopes the forecast rain this week will ease pressure on low flows in the Waikato River.

The drought has sent the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation's dairy price index soaring.