Farmers struggle as window for winter feed closes

The combination of dry weather and coronavirus restrictions is heaping pressure on Tasman’s pastoral farmers heading into winter.

Many parts of the region are still yet to receive significant rainfall as temperatures drop and the days begin to shorten.

Nelson Federated Farmers provincial president Martin

O’Connor said the lack of rain was proving to be a big problem for farmers throughout Nelson and Tasman.

‘‘We are still very much in the grips of drought. Some areas have had bits of rain, but most of the area hasn’t.’’

O’Connor said areas like the Motueka Valley, Tapawera, Korere, Dovedale and the Waimea Plains were the worst affected.

He said with the days shortening and temperatures dropping, the window for growing winter feed for stock was starting to close.

‘‘The winter crops are sitting there and really going nowhere because of a lack of rain.

‘‘I can’t see much rain heading our way in the short term, but we desperately need it.’’

O’Connor said complications arising from the coronavirus lockdown had made the situation worse.

While farmers were trying to offload their stock to reduce the amount of feed required, getting them off farms was a slow process.

‘‘The natural linkages of sale yards and freezing works are not working particularly efficiently at the moment. It’s still happening, but it’s slow.’’

Alliance Group general manager for livestock and shareholder services Danny Hailes said the cooperative had been working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other companies to adopt a strict set of rules to help prevent further spread of Covid-19 – including social distancing and personal protective equipment.

Hailes said this had resulted in a reduction in processing capacity at their plants and reduced capacity across the red meat sector, as the new process is bedded in. ‘‘Processing waiting times for farmers are significantly longer than normal.’’

Some areas in Nelson were faring better than others, with Golden Bay and Murchison in a much better position.

The dry weather had also been good for the grape and apple harvests in Nelson.

Golden Bay Federated Farmers provincial president Wayne Langford said while water tables were still low, heavy rains last month had allowed for good winter feed growth on their side of the Takaka Hill.

Top of the South Rural Support Trust chairman Richard Kempthorne said some farmers in Tasman district would need help to get through the situation.

‘‘The area that’s most affected is the Motueka Valley and Tapawera.’’