Support through drought

Dry Periods & Drought

Getting through a Dry Period

We all know dry spells and droughts can be long and relentless. Now is the time to seek help and plan for the next few months. There are a range of options available to support you practically, financially, mentally, and help you maintain the welfare of your livestock.

Key Actions:

  • Look after yourself, family, employees and keep an eye on your neighbours.
  • Talk to trusted advisors and those who have survived this before, and make use of the help or support offered. 
  • Talk to your local stock agent.  Book as early as possible; space at meat plants can be tight or limited.
  • Plan for feeding your stock over the coming months. Be aware you may have extra stock to feed due to slower processing times at some meat processing plants.
  • Look to increase supply of feed or reduce animal demand. 
  • If buying feed – act early. Order supplementary feed now while some is available.
  • Make decisions early. This will minimise the impact of the extreme dry on your business and increase the likelihood of containing any financial losses to the current season.
  • Animal health and welfare - the  responsibility for the health and welfare of animals rests with the stock owner or person in charge. If you need advice, ask for it from your vet, consultant or an expert in the particular issue you’re facing
  • Use irrigation water effectively and profitably. 

  • Seek help if you’re under pressure 

Talk it through 

There are many people to talk to for advice on your situation and possible options available - click on the following organisations to access their websites for more details:

These organisations all have experienced professionals who understand the challenges and can provide advice.

Weather Services

Feed Planning Support

Getting a plan in place can help give you peace of mind. Having a feed budget can help you:

  • Calculate your feed demand
  • Calculate your feed supply
  • Investigate options to fill feed gaps
  • Proactively make decisions.

A “snapshot feed plan” can be completed in 20 minutes, and there are lots of support available from farm advisers, industry organisations and specialist services

Feed budgets - DairyNZ 

Feed planning - Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Monitor your feed situation

Every year, there is potential for dry conditions around the country. This may lead to shortages of feed in some regions. Ongoing feed planning and budgeting is essential.

If your are unsure where to start, we can supply you with free and confidential support and connect you with the services you need, whether financial, business or health-related.

Call now 0800 787 254 (RURAL HELP)

Drought support increased for North Canterbury Farmers

Drought support increased for North Canterbury Farmers

The government is boosting support for farmers impacted by the ongoing drought in North Canterbury, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced on the 14th August 2024.

August 21, 2024 0 Comments
Getting through this Dry Period

Getting through this Dry Period

We all know dry spells and droughts can be long and relentless. Now is the time to seek help and plan for the next few months. There are a range of options available to support you...
May 2, 2024 0 Comments
𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀

We know it’s incredibly tough right now with large parts of the country currently farming through drought conditions and feed shortages.

April 9, 2024 0 Comments
Government announces drought support for Canterbury and Otago

Government announces drought support for Canterbury and Otago

The Coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification in place for the Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman districts to cover the Canterbury and Otago regions,...
March 25, 2024 0 Comments
New Drought/Dry Forecasting Tools

New Drought/Dry Forecasting Tools

A new tool created by NIWA in accord with MPI provides useful weekly and 35-day outlooks for dryness and rainfall based on meteorological data.

October 6, 2023 0 Comments
What is El Niño? What is La Niña?

What is El Niño? What is La Niña?

Check out what it all means for New Zealand this Summer (2023/2024)

September 29, 2023 0 Comments
The Lifestyle Block Emergency Preparedness Handbook

The Lifestyle Block Emergency Preparedness Handbook

The Lifestyle Block Emergency Preparedness Handbook provides lifestyle block owners with practical advice on how to make their property more resilient, and what to do in emergency events.

July 7, 2023 0 Comments
No rain, but a perfect Storm

No rain, but a perfect Storm

Southland farmers are reeling from the combined impacts of COVID-19 and a long dry period

March 26, 2022 0 Comments
Farm Business Continuity Planning

Farm Business Continuity Planning

February 25, 2022 0 Comments
Lunch on Us-Rotherham Hurunui

Lunch on Us-Rotherham Hurunui

10/24/2024 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 0 Comments
Lunch on Us-Hawarden-Hurunui

Lunch on Us-Hawarden-Hurunui

10/23/2024 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 0 Comments
Lunch on Us-Cheviot-Hurunui

Lunch on Us-Cheviot-Hurunui

10/18/2024 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 0 Comments

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