The Taranaki farmers desperate for rain
Dairy herds on many South Taranaki farms are being dried off weeks early as a “green drought” sees farmers dipping into supplements saved for winter, to keep stock fed.
A green drought is when there is just enough rain to keep the grass green but not enough for it to grow, and the soil is very dry.
Although Taranaki is not as badly affected as farms in the South Island and lower North Island, some farms in South Taranaki are extremely dry, despite last weekend’s downpours.
Taranaki Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Marcia Paurini said the move on March 28 by Agriculture Minister Todd Mcclay to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island, including Taranaki, was “a godsend”.
Some farmers were struggling to put food on their own tables as their money went on buying supplements for their cows, she said.
The classification unlocks support for farmers and growers that includes tax relief, and enables some to access rural assistance payments from the Ministry of Social Development.
Paurini said the trust and other rural professionals were working with farmers, providing support and advice, and she urged anyone in need to get in touch.
Farm supervisor and regional lead for Dairy NZ Brendon Attrill, who farms at Toko, said a number of farms in the Okaiawa and Manaia districts were particularly hard-hit.
In South Taranaki, between 10 and 20% of dairy farms were drying cows off a month early, which would affect their production and income for the season.
He’s advising those affected to dry off their cows and “put a full stop“on this season, so the drought impact doesn’t carry over into the new season.
Cows that were not being milked needed far less feed, and any that had lost condition would have time to regain it before winter, he said.
It would also give pasture a chance to grow before soil temperatures dropped and growth slowed over winter.
Taranaki Federated Farmers president Leedom Gibbs said the drought was exacerbating other pressures on farmers.
“It’s all compounding. It’s a really tough climate out there as far as business goes – this is sitting on top of it all. It’s a pretty concerning situation for many farmers.
“Looking forward to next season, things are going to continue to be tough.”
Gibbs said farmers routinely paid about 3% higher interest rates than homeowners, and were also facing high inflation in on-farm costs.
Dairy farmers were expecting a payout of $7.80/kg, but that was not enough for many to break even, she said.
“Historically, that’s really high, but when you’re looking at [what you need for] a break-even point, it’s not great.“
Drystock farmers were also affected, with lamb prices at rock bottom and wool prices even lower, she said.
Cows on her family’s farm at Manaia were milked for the last time this season on Tuesday. “We’re very much used to farming for the summer dry, but it’s definitely really light on cover for this time of year,” Gibbs said.
“We got 19mm of rain at the weekend, but with the wind, it won’t be enough. We dried off yesterday– it’s a bit earlier than normal.”
The ground was still very dry, she said, and rain was needed soon.
“We really, really need it to happen as early as possible. If it doesn’t happen until May, that’s a really short window to grow enough grass to get through winter.
“I imagine that will be on a lot of people’s minds,” she said.