Farmers need rain, and support

The timing of the drought that has large chunks of the North Island in its grip could hardly be worse.

Not that there is a good time for a drought, but economically and psychologically, the damage done by the prolonged dry spell could counter much of the growth and confidence anticipated on the back of the Christchurch rebuild.

Already large areas of the North Island have been declared drought zones, and others are expected to follow. Some estimates put the anticipated cost at $1 billion, a hefty burden for our small economy to carry.

It is reasonable to expect that, unless things change pretty quickly, Wanganui and our surrounding districts will join those already officially in drought.

Each month since October has seen less than average rainfall and it has been more than a month since the last decent drop. What pasture remains is fast being consumed or wilting in the relentless sunshine. Supplementary feed is being distributed.

Compounding the issue is its wide spread. Farmers don't have the option of buying in feed, or sending stock away to unaffected areas.

The Government has done the right thing in declaring drought status. Among other things, it opens the way to income relief to those whose plight is desperate. More importantly, support networks are activated. As Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills says, one of the biggest impacts of having your area recognised as being in drought is psychological.

My mind harks back to severe droughts in the late 1980s and early 1990s in North Otago, where I grew up. In one particularly bad drought, farmers were unable to sell sheep for $1 and many walked off their farms, or worse, unable to cope. Neighbours would share the task of slaughtering worthless animals so they need not suffer the pain of starvation, killing them in the hundreds.

As much as the support is welcomed, it is no solution. What our farmers really need is rain, and while we can't make that happen, we can all do our bit to help them through these tough times.

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