Drought abates, problems continue
Although Southland’s water situation is no longer ‘‘serious’’, farmers should avoid complacency, industry observers say.
Yesterday, Environment Southland downgraded its classification of previously low water levels across the region, saying it no longer regarded the regional situation as ‘‘serious’’.
Both Southland and neighbouring parts of Otago had been declared drought zones by the Government on January 30, following sustained dry weather through the summer.
Southland Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairwoman Bernadette Hunt said despite the uplift in river, aquifer and soil moisture levels throughout the region, farmers should expect the consequences of the drought to continue through the winter months.
‘‘Although paddocks are generally looking greener, the feed in them is still minimal, meaning many farmers are continuing to use supplement feed either from their own reserves or third-party suppliers, or sometimes send stock away.
‘‘The demand on feed is likely to continue with flushing of ewes and dairy pregnancies over coming weeks, and with autumn just round the corner, farmers need to plan ahead to ensure they have adequate winter feed provision in place.’’
Due to combined drought and insect pressure, many farmers’ winter crops had failed earlier in the season, necessitating a second sowing, Hunt said.
‘‘Things are obviously getting a bit late now, but given a sustained spell of sunnier weather, we might see the winter crop situation come good for some parts of the region.’’
Otago-Southland drought coordinator for the Ministry for Primary Industries, Olivia Ross, said the recent rainfall had helped lift morale among southern farmers.
She, too, warned against premature complacency, however.
Regional drought committees were now looking closely at the situation in order to plan a way forward, she said.
‘‘Parts of the region including western and eastern Southland, and South Otago, will still need further support as they emerge from being the hardest hit by drought, and we’re also looking at research into what a ‘medium scale adverse event’ drought of this type means in financial terms for those affected.
‘‘The next four to six weeks will tell us where we stand as we head towards winter.’’
Environment Southland director of science and information Graham Sevicke-Jones said most of Southland’s rivers and aquifers were now back to normal levels for the time of year and, with further rain forecast, the chances of going back to water shortage conditions were low.
‘‘Most of our underground aquifers have responded well to the rain we’ve had since January 29, with the exception of Garvie, Lintley and Edendale.
‘‘Soil moisture levels have improved, and most rivers are at levels that are typical for this time of year.’’
During the past week there had been significant rainfall around Southland, with totals ranging from 22.5mm at Waituna to 96.5mm at Hamilton Burn.
Global rainfall models predicted rainfall during the next three days, with the MetService 14-day forecast indicating rain for the region through to next Saturday.
Southland District and Invercargill City councils had lifted all domestic water use restrictions, and the Gore District Council had eased sprinkler restrictions.
Sevicke-Jones said Environment Southland would continue to work with industry representatives and others around managing the continuing effects of the drought.
Water restrictions for the Clutha District have also lifted.