Call to help drought-hit farmers

Hawke's Bay sheep enjoy the green luxuries of home, while farmers in North Canterbury start wondering where their stock's next feed is coming from.

A spurt in growth across the pastures of Hawke's Bay has sparked a tentative call for farmers to offer support to counterparts in North Canterbury where rainfall for the year is almost certain to be the lowest on record in some areas.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Fenton Wilson took up some of the cudgels when he was at a meeting which included Hurunui District Mayor Winton Dalley, although he appreciates that Hawke's Bay farmers' plans will have to include consideration of their own potential late-summer or autumn drought, depending how the El Nino climate system kicks in.

Mr Wilson said Canterbury farmers had come to the aid of Hawke's Bay during the late summer and autumn drought of 2013 and, given the great strike pastures have had in Hawke's Bay, it was possible Hawke's Bay farmers would be able to help.

"We are a bit ahead in Hawke's Bay, a bit ahead of where we're usually at about this time," he said. "I remember how Canterbury farmers came to Hawke's Bay's aid in the last drought, and maybe this is our opportunity to help."

Industry veteran Don McLeod, of Fernhill, who maintains close contact with farmers in North Canterbury, says Hawke's Bay is in a position to help.

"It's a sad story down there," he said, "but here [particularly through Central Hawke's Bay] this would have to be one of the best late-springs we've had for some time."

But he noted it was barely a few weeks since many in Hawke's Bay had been preparing for summer drought.

The help in 2013 included shipment of surplus feed to Hawke's Bay, but this time it could be extra stock crossing Cook Strait in search of greener pastures, with new Hawke's Bay stock-trading company StockX already offering its help, pledging a fifth of its commission to assist the Canterbury farmers.

Federated Farmers meat and fibre sector national chairman Rick Powdrell is encouraging farmers on the east coast of the South Island to continue destocking as necessary, and to think further afield - including Hawke's Bay.

It's likely to involve significant sheep numbers.

"Farmers who have stock to shift should start thinking outside the regions they would usually sell to," Mr Powdrell said.

"Likewise, if you have surplus feed and can assist farmers in areas struggling with drought by taking on stock, broaden your search - there are bound to be farmers who need a hand.

"This is an industry issue, we all need to think about assisting these farmers, to maximise the potential of these animals while keeping their welfare front of mind," he said.

Mr Powdrell said there were new alternative methods emerging such as Stock X - "a secure online trading platform".

Much of North Canterbury has been in drought all year, with occasional respite in recent months. But this comes with predictions that rainfall for the year in many places will be the lowest on record and the drought the worst in at least 20 years.