Farmers fear dry autumn

Farmers facing drought are using their winter feed in some areas and are worried about the prospect of a dry autumn.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’connor has classified the whole of the North Island and part of the South Island as being in at least medium drought. In some areas, he said, he had been told that the soil had not been this dry since the early 1900s.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a relief package on Thursday to respond to immediate needs, such as delivering water for consumption, sanitation, wastewater systems, stock welfare and horticulture. The $12 million package will include Tasman, Marlborough and Kaikoura, North Canterbury, and the Chatham Islands.

It also included $2m to support farmers and growers following the drought classification, plus $421,000 to extend the reach of Rural Assistance Payments – which could be used to buy water.

‘‘With several requests for regional declarations of drought received in the past few weeks, it’s become clear that many farmers and growers in the North Island and parts of the South are facing very difficult dry conditions,’’ O’connor said.

Relief will vary from area to area, but the classification as a ‘‘large-scale adverse event’’ will kick off co-ordination efforts to get surplus feed to farms, animal welfare, and and counselling support.

In Kaipara, Northland, mayor Jason Smith said grass growth had stopped more than three weeks ago, making it difficult for farmers to feed their stock.

Hawke’s Bay has received less than 10 per cent of normal rainfall, made worse with many springs and aquifers being under average levels for 12 months.

Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay president Jim Galloway said things were ‘‘quite grim’’, but he urged farmers to keep talking and socialising to keep up morale.

‘‘Water supply is the biggest issue. On some farms, springs are drying up, dams are getting dry, so it’s putting pressure on water systems.

According to Niwa’s drought index, the northern third of the North Island is in severe drought, while the central North Island is in drought and most of the rest of the North Island deemed ‘‘extremely dry’’.

Extremely dry conditions also extend to the north of the South Island, with drought or extreme drought in patches.