Support systems already there for farmers in drought

Support systems are already in place for Central and North Otago farmers struggling to cope with their driest season for many years.

"Things are getting pretty tight for some farming families out there," Otago Adverse Support Trust co-ordinator Irene Scurr said.

After months with hardly any rain, most farmers in the driest parts of the region have taken whatever measures they could to relieve the pressure on their properties, including destocking.

Maniototo farms received a downpour 11 days ago and for many, it was the first significant rain since mid-May.

Teviot Valley farmers, who are facing their driest season since they began taking local records 86 years ago, were already destocking in November and December.

Agricultural consultant Karl Barclay, of Alexandra, said because of the dry environment, Central Otago farmers were psychologically geared up to take action in a dry season.

"It is definitely drier than normal this year and the good thing is most farmers have made proactive decisions about what to do, to cope with that."

The other "silver lining" to the dry season was that there was a good market for store lambs at present and that made what could have been a difficult decision much easier for farmers getting rid of their stock, he said.

"There's no denying it's a dry year, but it could be a heck of a lot worse. However, there will still be people out there who are finding this tough. That rain last week lifted the spirits a bit of course, but we still need more moisture," Mr Barclay said.

He also said the biggest concern now was for farmers relying on hay or balage, going into winter.

Ms Scurr said the Otago Adverse Support Trust had evolved from the North Otago Drought Committee, which was very active in the 1980s.

It was now an Otago-wide body which offered support to rural families in times of crisis or change.

The trust offered confidential and free advice and could act as a sounding board, an advocate, arrange for a mentor, organise for a farm consultant or direct families to some professional or medical assistance if needed.

If any parts of the province were declared a drought zone by the Government, the trust would co-ordinate any funding offered as part of a drought assistance package.

"There's been a huge amount of stock already gone out of the district and that's eased the pressure on struggling farmers a bit," Ms Scurr said.

"The ready market and good prices for store lambs has been a bonus and the freezing works are still taking old ewes too."

Issues were different for each rural family, depending on their situation, so there was no "one-fit" solution.

"A drought just sneaks slowly up on you. What you have to do is a put a line in the land and have cut-off dates. So you say if there's been no rain by such-and-such a date, then you'll take a certain action."

Co-ordinator David Mellish covered the North Otago area and Ms Scurr, who is based in Dunedin, covers Central and South Otago.

The trust's work is funded by farmers and the Government .

lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz