KEY POINTS:
The usual lush green hills of the Waikato are turning brown as farmers head into their eighth dry week.
Waikato Federated Farmers president Stuart Wadey says the earth is like concrete and if rain comes in one dollop it won't soak in. Mr Wadey said a good 75mms is needed over a week to really sink in and rejuvenate pasture.
"It's a huge challenge to farm right now, both for dairying and for sheep and beef farmers in the hills," Mr Wadey said.
He said it is the worst drought he has seen since 1978 and has been accelerated by the hot weather and the winds.
"In the northern areas like Huntly and Patetonga are down to the dirt. There's a real challenge to keep on producing product for the vat," Mr Wadey said.
He said supplementary feed is in short supply and bales of silage have gone up from about $55 late last year to about $140.
He said cash flows will be tight for dairy farmers and even worse for the sheep and beef farmers who are now getting less money for meat and wool.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton will meet farming sector leaders next Tuesday to discuss the effect of continued dry weather.
Mr Anderton said if the dry weather persisted, the situation would become very serious in some areas.
Industry leaders would speak about the situation in their areas, including what current and planned initiatives they have in place, he said.
"This will be an opportunity to share ideas about the best way to handle the situation, and to see if there needs to be a national coordination of resources and initiatives," Mr Anderton said.
After the meeting, he would make a series of visits to areas identified as being most at risk.
Mr Wadey said farmers were not after any "hand outs" but hoped that costs like road-user charges could be waived for farmers transporting stock from the Waikato to grazing areas in, for example, Taranaki or Gisborne.
Federated Farmers yesterday activated an 0800 number to monitor dry conditions around New Zealand.
The number, 0800 335 663, has been set up to support farmers seeking feed for their livestock over the summer.
Federated Farmers president Charlie Pedersen said it will allow farmers to register feed requirements and to list the type and price of surplus feed.
"Most farmers will have been through similar weather cycles before and will be well prepared," Mr Pedersen said.
He said the MetService had been predicting the weather accurately.
"If their long-term forecast remains correct we won't see sustained rain in dry areas until April, so farmers need to plan for this," Mr Pedersen said.
