Fortunately, he farms in a coastal zone of eastern Northland that got something like normal March rain after record dry months previously.
Northland’s west coast missed out almost completely and rivers and wells are still dry.
Federated Farmers Northland vice-president Colin Hannah said each farm has lost on average 3500kg drymatter a hectare.
“We have done projections assuming some normality from May onwards but that gap leading to deficit is still there.
“The drought has certainly not broken up here and Niwa is now saying there won’t be rain until mid April.”
The advice to all farmers in the province is to put in annual ryegrass now along with little-and-often nitrogen to grow perhaps 4000kg DM/ha through winter and early spring.
Geoff Crawford at Hikurangi has sown 250ha of new grass following chicory, which kept his 1500 dairy cows in milk. They would otherwise be dried off by now.
“Kikuyu grass has gone from zero to hero following 16mm of rain recently and we are trying to keep the crickets out of the ryegrass with baits.
“I have 1000 yearlings, heifer replacements and bull calves costing $1-$1.20/head/day in supplementary feeding.
“We bought in some bales from Pukekohe but I don’t want to buy in from anywhere that may have Californian thistles.”
Crawford got 12 tonnes/ha from maize silage versus 19t normal yield expectation.
Former Young Farmer Contest national winner and Nuffield Scholar David Kidd, South Kaipara Head, said enough rain has fallen for pastures to go green and the kikuyu has finally come alive.
“But we haven’t got in front of the evapotranspiration rate and we haven’t had a fall of rain that really gets things going.
“We are well into feeding out winter feed supplies and the stock are way behind where they should be.”
Regrassing is under way but coastal marine flats are still set like concrete with massive ground cracks.
Kidd, who is also northern North Island Beef + Lamb Farmers Council chairman, said any Government aid will be appreciated but the flow-on effects and the drop in farm income will persist.
Feed planning help offered
Farmers throughout the country have been offered free help with feed planning through autumn and winter.
The Ministry for Primary Industries has put together a help programme with DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, AgFirst consultants and Federated Farmers.
MPI said drought is having a significant impact on the amount of feed being grown across the country.
The programme is based on need and will operate on three levels.
Firstly, farmers can call an industry or levy body for a free stocktake of their feed planning needs.
Secondly, where required, they can get more advice and practical support.
“An adviser will help them understand what needs to be done and how they can go about it,” MPI said.
Finally, farmers can also be referred to a farm systems consultant who can provide help over the phone or visit if it is a serious animal welfare issue.
This third level of support is not free.
MPI said the programme will operate till June 30 when the need to continue it will be reviewed.
Information will be posted on the MPI website.
The access numbers are:
Dry stock sector, 0800BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)
Dairy sector, 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969)
AgFirst, 0508 AGFIRST (0508 243 477)
Federated Farmers Northland vice-president Colin Hannah said the MPI announcement is about what he expected in the circumstances.
He urged farmers to sign three-month contracts for palm kernel at prices he believes range from $295 to $305 a tonne.
Not only are those rates lower than the spot market they will ensure farmers a place on a preferential list should there be any disruption to shipping or supplies.
