Wet start won’t be enough

Steady rainfall in parts of Taranaki will have little effect on grass growth for drought stricken dairy farmers in the province, a Federated Farmers spokesman says.

Northerly winds brought steady, drizzling weather conditions to the revised Oakura Beach street market on New Years Day, and a large sea swell for surfers to enjoy.

But the dismal conditions were not enough to break the drought for Taranaki farmers who have had milk production drop 40 per cent in the past month.

There are now fears if substantial rainfall did not eventuate in the next month, farmers will be forced to dry off most of their stock and be faced with no income until next spring.

A drought was declared in the region on December 23, with total fire bans in South Taranaki, and restricted fire bans in other areas.

Rural Support Trusts have received $160,000 government funding to help drought affected farmers.

Federated Farmers Taranaki president Donald McIntyre said the lack of rainfall in the province was the worst sustained dry period in 40 years.

Taranaki farmers work around having reliable rainfall for 11 months with a month of limited rain but this summer was unprecedented, he said.

‘‘We have many farmers who have not experienced conditions like this in their lifetimes,’’ he said.

‘‘This year is a very rare occurrence, the severity of the drought is the main concern, and many farmers are under pressure.’’

Records show the last severe drought in Taranaki was 1978, he said.

The MetService had issued a heavy rain warning on Monday with thunderstorms for Taranaki, Waitomo and Taumarunui with rainfall up to 60mm in some areas.

Strong northeasterly winds are forecast off the Taranaki coast on Friday and Saturday as a deep low moved onto the North Island bringing rain and strong winds to northern and central regions, the agency forecasted.

McIntyre, who farms at Ratapiko, east of Inglewood, said animal welfare was the first priority for farmers in drought conditions.

‘‘If the animals are able to be kept in good shape, then the human welfare will be in the right space.

‘‘If there is a trough full of water for the cows they will survive but many of the rivers and streams on the coast are very low now so water storage is a problem.’’

McIntyre was not optimistic more rain forecast through to the weekend, much of it from the north and north east, would be enough to ease concerns.

Central Taranaki received as little as 4.5mm but most of it was ‘‘stuck on the coast’’, and didn’t move inland, he said.

‘‘There will be hard decisions to be made to dry off and farmers should be talking to their advisors on when the best time is to do this.’’

The recent rain had not been a ‘‘drought breaker’’, he said.

‘‘We got about 4mm at Ratapiko and it wasn’t even enough to wet the dust.

‘‘It’s not looking good and we need substantial rainfall to get us through.

‘‘We’re grateful here we are not as bad as the coastal guys but all of us have a lot more of the summer to go.’’

Urea was being put on the paddocks but the lack of rainfall will not help the fertiliser to grow grass, he said.

Little rain had reached Okato dairy farmer Bernie Lawn’s 164ha Mangatete Rd property which had only had 2mm of rain since November 4.

‘‘We had a few showers but only enough to wet the concrete,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s been a light drizzle but the ground is so hot and dry it just turns to steam.’’

Lawn said the conditions were the worst in 59 years he had been on the farm.

Some cows had been dried off already and a decision would be made to dry more off if no decent rainfall occurred in the short term, he said.

It was possible farmers who were forced to dry off most of the herd would be looking at no income for six or seven months, he said.

The farm was currently at 60 per cent production.

‘‘We’ve kissed good bye to normal production for this season.’’

Stock feed was at a premium following drought conditions causing costs to rise.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of holidaymakers braved the warm, wet conditions at the Oakura Beach street market where 34 food and craft stallholders set up along Tasman Parade.

The traditional soapy water slide brought the biggest turnout from children.

‘‘It’s a fun day despite the weather and everyone found the best way to make it work for themselves,’’ co-organiser Zoe Harris said.

The street parade, revised after a short absence, was ‘‘about bringing the community together again,’’ Oakura Beach Carnival Trust spokesman Richard Shearer said.

‘‘It would have been awesome on the fine day but the weather won this one, at least the kids are loving it,’’ he said.