Otago Rural Support Trust co-ordinator for Dunedin City and Clutha Pat Macaulay agreed the situation was becoming dire but said her organisation could help.
‘‘It's across the board. There's parts of East Otago, there's parts of Maniototo and it's very dry [in the] Upper Clutha and parts of Dunedin city. It's extremely dry,'' Mrs Macaulay said.
‘‘There is no harm in ringing ... just for a chat to chew over whatever may be worrying them. We're there to help when needed.''
The trust provided help to rural people by way of options and different points of view they may not have thought of, Mrs Macaulay said.
Support from the trust was not available only in times of drought but it was especially important now as farmers battled to grow feed to winter stock
while not growing enough feed for stock now.
‘‘We facilitate with farmers [and] we work on why they are having their problems and suggest ways and means that they would not have thought of,'' Mrs Macaulay said.
‘‘It does a great deal to lift the spirits of farmers who are trying to farm in these horrendous conditions. That's the way it is out there.''
The trust received financial support from the Government but its role was to provide advice, not monetary support. However, there were avenues people could take for financial assistance, Mrs Macaulay said.
‘‘We're finding that farmers are making decisions earlier these days. The trust has put a huge effort in this past 12 months in Otago ... to inform all these rural professionals ... of what the trust does.
‘‘We just want to be able to make a difference and see smiles back on faces.''
Niwa National Climate Centre principal scientist Chris Brandolino told the Otago Daily Times on Thursday that El Nino was a ‘‘100% certainty'' to continue for the next three months and at least 25mm of persistent rain was needed to get back to what was considered normal for this time of year.
Trust co-ordinator for Waitaki and Central Otago David Mellish said he understood farmers were under pressure.
‘‘All farmers have access to assistance. We thoroughly understand the difficulties they are going through. It's a very difficult time [but] both co-ordinators are there to assist them.''
He encouraged farmers to ‘‘keep an eye on ... neighbours'' and call 0800 787-254 if they needed help.
