This year's drought could end up costing Northland dairy farmers about $500 million, Northland Rural Support Trust says.
For months, the region has been gripped by its worst drought in 60 years - and it won't be officially lifted until September.
Trust member Julie Jonker said recent rain had been welcomed by the region's farmers, but more was needed before the hardship ends. Heavy rain is forecast for Northland today but this could also wash off any recent fertilisers farmers may have put on their land.
She said the estimated cost of the drought to dairy farmers alone in Northland was $500 million, and that would be even higher once costs of associated business were taken into account.
"And that's just dairy farmers in Northland. It's estimated the 2010 drought cost Northland dairy farmers about $750 million, and while this one won't reach that amount, it's still going to be huge," she said. "The financial impact is still there and it doesn't just go away because it's been raining. Farmers are amazingly resilient people, but this is hitting some of them very hard."