Bay of Plenty farmers are selling off surplus stock, feeding out supplements and many have reduced milking frequency as pastures dry out.

John Scrimgeour, president of Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers, says it is worrying that there is no rain in the long term forecast and farmers don't know when relief may be in sight.

'The rain in December was very helpful and grew some good grass, but was not enough to get the soil really wet. Looking back over the last three months, total rainfall has been very low which is why I think the dry has hit so quickly – there was insufficient moisture in the ground to support the plants.”

Many herds are now being milked three times in two days instead of four and others are on once a day milking, to help keep cows in good condition.

Supplementary feeds are being given to livestock to keep them healthy and sheep and beef farmers, as well as dairy farmers, are disposing of surplus stock.

John says while the conditions so far are not that unusual for summer, farmers need to conserve both pasture and stock health in case rain doesn't come soon. This includes not over-grazing pasture so that it can recover quickly when it does rain.

Long hot sunny days have however brought some respite for kiwifruit growers. Kiwifruit Vine Health Chief Executive Barry O'Neill says the dry conditions don't suit the aggressive bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae, which has infected thousands of kiwifruit vines and hit the industry hard. However, growers are well aware it will become active again once the wet cooler conditions of autumn arrive.

Pastoral farmers are hoping they don't have to wait until March for rain.