Displaying items by tag: weather

Northland farmers are starting to count the cost of one of the most severe droughts to hit the region as the cost of feed and lower prices for stock are the order of the day.

Animal health and welfare issues are likely to emerge soon as Hawkes Bay farmers try to cope with the effects of what is believed to be the worst drought in the history of the region.

With $1 million now behind them, Hawkes Bay Rural Advisory Group is working to get as many farmers and livestock through winter as possible.

The lasting effects of the drought are seen by Rural Contractors NZ board members as a bigger challenge for contractors and farmers than COVID-19.

Farmers in Hawkes Bay are facing a desperate situation with no relief in sight from the disastrous drought gripping the region.

The Ministry for Primary Industries says, in the space of a week, it’s had over 120 applications for assistance from the special drought recovery fund.

Six months after implementing a groundbreaking new farming system, Alan Law’s Whakatane dairy farm is an oasis of green among drought-stricken neighbouring farms.

It’s been a tough summer for most dairy farms including Owl Farm, the St Peter’s School demonstration farm near Cambridge.

Dealing with the drought and animal welfare is more concerning to dairy farmers than COVID-19 according to DairyNZ chief executive, Dr Tim Mackle.

A new $500,000 fund aims to help farmers and growers better prepare for droughts.