"A green drought" is taking hold of Central Otago, with a recent month-long dry spell stunting farm feed growth and affecting hay-making and baleage operations.
Hawea Flat farmer Bill Allison said that a "green drought" existed in pockets of the Upper Clutha, where the dry conditions had slowed growth, although paddocks and farmland still looked green from earlier in the spring.
"Unless we get some significant rain - and I mean a couple of heavy downpours to turn things around - it doesn't look good for the summer."
Grass growth was 50% down and this would impact on farming operations to enable making hay for winter feed, he said.
His son, Blair Allison, said that different microclimates across the region meant some areas were drier than others for hay-making and baleage.
Southerly winds early in spring had brought cold conditions ,which had slowed growth.
Combined with subsequent dryness, this had kept moisture content low in the soil, he said.