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The Waikato region, the heart of the nation's dairying sector, was yesterday declared a drought zone after its driest January in more than 100 years.
"The dry conditions are starting to take their toll on many farms and rural businesses across our region," Waikato Regional Council chairman Peter Buckley said.
A combination of low rainfall, near-record-high temperatures, extremely dry soils and falling river levels prompted what is reported to be the region's first drought declaration.
The "drought zone" status will help co-ordination and response efforts by a drought response group made up of dairy industry, regional council, farmer, meat industry board, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and Rural Support Trust representatives.
The trust will act as a one-stop shop for rural people wanting information and advice.
"People can't count on the rain coming any time soon and with drought conditions predicted to continue to the end of autumn, we need to co-ordinate our efforts to minimise any environmental, economic and social problems that might arise," Mr Buckley said.
Even if rain fell it was unlikely to put enough moisture into the soil to boost pasture growth to normal levels.
Phil Journeaux, the Hamilton-based MAF North Island policy manager who is co-ordinating the ministry's national drought response, said officials had commissioned a survey of supplementary feed available for livestock and were assessing the economic impact of the drought.
In many other parts of the country, January rainfalls were the lowest or second lowest on record, temperatures have been hotter than usual and soil moisture levels are falling.
A lack of feed is causing sheep farmers to sell stock early and dairy farmers are recording lower production as many are forced to dry off their milking herds.
Milk production has slumped in both the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, which account for about 40 per cent of the country's dairy herd, and estimates of a 2 or 3 per cent rise in national dairy production this season are now looking optimistic.
Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton will convene a national drought meeting of government officials and sector leaders on Tuesday.
Mr Anderton said if the dry weather persisted, the situation would become very serious in some areas.
"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 co-ordination of resources and initiatives."
Waikato Federated Farmers president Stuart Wadey said the soil was like concrete on the region's farms. "It's a huge challenge to farm right now, both for dairying and for sheep and beef farmers in the hills."
It was the worst drought he had seen since 1978 and northern areas such as Huntly and Patetonga had no grass left. "There's a real challenge to keep on producing product for the vat," Mr Wadey said.
Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup urged farmers to seek technical and professional advice. "There is a generation of farmers and rural advisers who have never been through a drought before and they will need information and advice."
Stock welfare was a critical issue for many farmers and now was the time to review farm management plans, stock water supplies, the availability of feed and plans for managing farms post-drought.
The trust was already concerned about shortages of supplementary stockfeed and limited capacity for truckers delivering water, for both stock and household use. The price of silage had gone up from about $55 a bale late last year to about $140.
Mr Buckley said councils were taking all practicable steps to conserve water "but we might need to consider restricting water takes from other users".
- NZPA
