Papal visit
OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.
Pam has saved the season on many North Island dairy farms but the cyclone’s soak failed to reach the south where some areas are still desperately dry, despite dribs and drabs of rain in recent weeks.
DairyNZ is advising drought-stricken farmers to dry off early rather than continue milking with bought-in feed.
Patchy rain up the South Island’s east coast early this month eased the drought’s grip in a few areas but others still have zero pasture growth.
Dealing with the drought added another level to the first South Canterbury event in DairyNZ’s low payout inspired Tactics for Tight Times (TTT) campaign.
In the last couple of weeks we have seen a welcome recovery in the Global Dairy Trade price index, albeit on reduced volumes for this time of year.
At last some much needed rain has fallen. But some farms have had less 30 mm, so pastures are still declining quickly and I am seeing large differences in average pasture cover (APC) between farms.
The drought is forcing dairy farmers in South Canterbury and Marlborough to consider drying off their herds in the coming weeks.
A 'localised drought' has been declared in Wairarapa as the southern and eastern parts of the region start to feel the impact of the dry conditions.
Drought in the central South Island has reached the point where losses cannot be limited to this year, industry representatives say.
The drought in South Canterbury has prompted one non-irrigating farmer in the Opuha Water area to question the irrigation firm’s first-come, first-served water allocation.
OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.
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