By Sally Murphy of RNZ.
A Marlborough company is looking whether using excess or reject apples from Nelson orchards could be used as stock feed in dry areas along the east coast.
Farmers around Seddon and Ward are struggling with extremely dry conditions.
Many have started to feed out early, with concerns supplementary feed will run out before the winter.
Kiwi Seed owner Bruce Clarke said apples were used as feed by some farmers last year and with difficulties getting peas and barley more are interested in the fruit this year.