Farmers feel the heat

Trees and crops are suffering from a lack of rain in Marlborough after a second dry January, prompting farmers to turn to backup water supplies.

The Pyramid at Waihopai Valley had 10 millimetres of rain in the 60 days from December 20, instead of the 120mm average for that period in previous years, according to the farm’s records since 1978.

Third-generation Pyramid farmer Richard Dawkins said the lack of rain was bad timing, as mating season arrived and preparations for winter crops of oats and ryegrass got under way.

‘‘It was looking good at the start of summer with lots of rainfall in December, that set us up well for summer and got the crops and the lucerne growing well, but after December 20 we’ve only had the 10mm, and we’re struggling.’’

Keeping sheep well fed and watered was crucial during mating season, Dawkins said.

‘‘If they’re going backward over mating season you’ll definitely pay for it over scanning and then lambing time. And with lamb prices at record highs, it really pays to keep the ewes moving forward. If we don’t get rain in the next fortnight ... it’s not good.’’

Blenheim’s figures showed last month was the second driest month since 1930 with 0.2mm of rain, according to the Blenheim meteorological station. January

1978 was the driest with 0mm, while January 1939 was the third driest with 1.5mm. January 2019 was Blenheim’s fifth driest with 3.2mm.

Dawkins said two dry summers in a row had taken a toll on the farm’s 60 hectares of trees, and he had noticed some older trees dying.

‘‘Some trees which are 20 to 30 years old have succumbed to the unusual dry conditions, particularly those around normal waterways with shallow root reserves ... They haven’t faced this sort of moisture stress before.’’

Fodder beet used for stock feed was also defoliating due to moisture stress, he said.

‘‘Rain is also pretty important for establishing our winter crops. Doing tractor work, moisture in the ground is crucial for preparing the soil.’’

Dawkins was glad his father had installed a reticulated water system and vineyard dam which they used as a backup water supply for the farm, he said.

‘‘But farming in Marlborough, it’s what we’ve come to expect. If you’re facing a dry summer in

Marlborough and you’re surprised, well, you shouldn’t be.’’

Last month was the warmest January recorded on Earth, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said, with record temperatures in several countries.

However New Zealand was only 0.1 degrees Celsius above the 1981-2010 January average, and despite the dry conditions, Blenheim’s mean temperature of 17.5C was 0.7C cooler than usual.

The Pyramid would throw open the gates to the public for an open day on March 1, as part of a nationwide Open Farms Day initiative to help connect Kiwis to where their food comes from.

The award-winning farm would host gumboot throwing, shearing, farm tours, a fundraising barbecue for Marlborough Boxing and even a bouncy castle between 10am and 4pm.

Photo: Richard Dawkins