Update on drought conditions in Marlborough

Farmers are reporting increasingly dry conditions in Marlborough.

Blenheim has had its lowest rainfall in 85 years over the July 2014 - January 2015 period, receiving only 35 percent of the long term average rainfall of 381mm.

Other areas of Marlborough are similarly suffering significantly lower rainfall, including Avon Valley, which has received only 245mm of rainfall, 53 percent of the long term average.

Currently, nine of the sixteen consent areas have had their right to irrigate suspended:

Awatere Class C
Flaxbourne Class A
Omaka River Class B
Waihopai Class A, B & C
Wairau Class C
Doctors Creek
Needles Creek.
These restrictions have the potential for adverse social and economic impacts in the longer term. However farmers are adapting to the conditions and are managing the situation by:

Carrying minimal capital stock
Feeding supplements to stock
Advanced measure: Destocking whole properties until the conditions recover.
Federated Farmers Marlborough has established a Local Drought Committee so stakeholders can keep up to date and discuss the issues. The group is led by our provincial president, Greg Harris, and includes the Rural Support Trust, Ministry for Primary Industries, Beef & Lamb, Dairy NZ and the Marlborough District Council.

The Onamalutu Valley - Northbank fire last week has already burnt around 620ha, including forest, tree lots, some agricultural land and small holdings, with a large number of rural residents affected. While the fire is largely under control, helicopters and ground crews are still monitoring the situation, and continue to work within the fire area.

Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust are providing support to those farmers affected.

Federated Farmers has compiled a list of resources available to farmers during the dry, which can be found here, as well as opening our Feedline (0800 376 844).

Federated Farmers Feed List/Line provides a venue to introduce members, who want to buy and sell feed, but we do not take any part in the sale of feed and it is up to prospective buyers/sellers to get in touch with each other themselves.

Drought Events

Dairy NZ

12 February: Discussion Group focusing on managing through the drought conditions
5 March: Discussion Group on Tactics for Tight Times.
Further events to be updated on our web page.

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