North Canterbury drying out
North Canterbury farmers have plenty of drought experience and may have to start calling on it as the region dries out.
Climate agency Niwa has added coastal Hurunui and southern Kaiko¯ura to its list of drought-affected areas, which also includes all of the upper North Island, central Waikato to Manawatu¯ -Whanganui and East Cape.
Hawarden farmer Winton Dalley said if autumn rains did not arrive as expected, farmers in North Canterbury would be in an uncomfortable position.
‘‘If we learned one thing in the 2014 to 2017 droughts, it was that you need to make decisions early on what you can control.
‘‘We had good spring growth and generally a good production season, then it came dry as normal December onward,’’ he said.
‘‘While we usually expect the autumn rains to kick in from next month, and set us up for winter, we will be in an uncomfortable position if the rains don’t come this year, and farmers need to prepare for that eventuality.’’
Third-generation farmer Dan Maxwell said his Cheviot property had missed out on recent rain and some springs in the area were drying up. Maxwell, meat and wool chairman for North Canterbury Federated Farmers, said farmers were being proactive and making decisions regularly. ‘‘It is vital they are decisive over the next month if no substantial rain arrives; always have a date set and if does not rain, then implement an action plan. ‘‘A $10,000 hit to the budget can soon turn into a $15,000 hit if conditions continue to deteriorate,’’ Maxwell said.
In Kaiko¯ura, conditions for dairy farmers were as bad as anyone could remember, DairyNZ South Island head Tony Finch said. ‘‘Even those with the advantages of limited irrigation are experiencing challenges to keep up with livestock demands.
‘‘Farmers have been forced to make system changes to manage, however if there is no rain by March they will be needing to consider drying-off options.’’
Finch said farmers’ spirits overall remained good, reflecting Fonterra’s forecast payout range of $7 to $7.60 per kilogram of milksolids.
Dalley, chairman of the Hurunui adverse events committee, said it was good practice to have plans and deadlines in place to destock, send stock out to graze, and buy in supplements while they were available at an affordable price.
‘‘Seeking advice and support from your rural professionals is a
‘‘If we learned one thing in the 2014 to 2017 droughts, it was that you need to make decisions early on what you can control.’’ Winton Dalley
Hawarden farmer
wise move, whether it is financial, stock health, stock disposal or advising on supplementary feed and green feed crops.
‘‘Remember too, looking out for your neighbour is of paramount importance.’’