Financial climate is still challenging
STATE OF PLAY: Farmers are ready for a big dry but money remains tight, writes Mike Tweed..
The warm, dry summer is expected to continue but farmers in the wider Whanganui region are well prepared. Niwa principal scientist Chris Brandolino said dry areas were emerging across Whanganui, Rangitīkei and down through Manawatū.
“Farmers need to be mindful of that,” he said. “When we work our way into February in particular, we could start to see more persistent dryness emerge as we get close to and after Waitangi Day.”
Brandolino said that pattern was expected to stretch into autumn.
Federated Farmers Whanganui president Robert Ervine said there was good rain over Christmas and New Year, plus d 15-20mm during Whanganui Vintage Weekend, but “things are starting to get dry again”.
“I think guys are in a really good place. They listened to the weather forecasts, got a lot of feed on hand and they’re prepped.”
Ervine said that, while it would not be an amazing season, dairy payouts were improving.
“Production-wise, [farmers] are going pretty well. They have a plan and they’re working to it.”
Brandolino said the online
Drought Forecasting Dashboard, a partnership between Niwa and the Ministry for Primary Industries, was a useful tool.
“That predicts where dryness or even drought may emerge over the coming five weeks.
“It’s updated every afternoon and in weekly chunks, it predicts if rainfall will be at, below or above normal.”
He said the whole country would experience above-average temperatures for the next three months.
“It doesn’t mean every day will be warm, though.”
While dairy farmers were feeling positive, the mood wasn’t so rosy in the sheep and beef sector, Ervine said.
“Every time a lamb leaves the farm, it takes dollars with it.
“They are going through the equivalent of dairy’s 2014/15 bad payout season. Lamb prices have just been diabolical.”
He said Australia was culling ewe numbers, meaning less lamb would come out of that country next year.
“Hopefully, prices will come back to level to break even or make a profit.
“That being said, it’s been a tough, knuckle-down season.”
Federated Farmers ManawatūRangitīkei president Ian Strahan said farmers needed $110-$120 per lamb