Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers president John Scrimgeour says the region needs 'ongoing” rain, or the situation for farmers in the area will become severe.
Farmers from other New Zealand provinces, such as Northland, are asking for the government to declare their region as drought stricken.
'Rainfall has been reasonably low over the last two or three months,” says John.
'If we don't get rain shortly it will start to impact over the next couple weeks.
He says many other areas across the country are experiencing dryer conditions than the Bay of Plenty.
He says if the region does not get decent rainfall in the next few weeks, production will begin to suffer.
'As stock starts to become under fed through lack of grass, production will slip and growth rates will slip and farmers will have to unload stock in an unfavourable market.
'Because most of the country is dry it's not as if there is anyone else you can sell stock to.”
John would like to see at least two inches of rain fall over the next two weeks.
4 comments
happens all the time
Posted on 06-12-2010 15:23 | By sharni1957
I used to be married to a farmer, and this happens all the time. It's either too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry. 20 years ago when we would go on holiday in January the hills were totally brown from here to Hamilton. Farmers know how changeable the seasons can be so why don't they change jobs if they don't like it. Put in irrigation systems, stop buying boats and more farms, be realistic and do it hard like the people in the real world do.
important to ecomomy
Posted on 06-12-2010 20:27 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
It may not have occurred to the last person commetining, the amount of money farmers put back into the local economy, possibly supporting the business they work in. Without the money put back into local businesses, many would simply not be there. Suggesting that you live in the real world is rather ironic, maybe you should try milking? I dont think farmers have air con, heating, tea breaks, holiday pay, and guess what they still have to go ouside to work even when it rains!
didn't read my comments
Posted on 07-12-2010 13:26 | By sharni1957
patsyanne, I know how much farmers put back in the economy, if you read my comment I said I WAS married to a farmer. I did the 5o'clock starts, rain,hail etc, that is not what I am talking about. It is the fact they they always want more when they know how fickle the seasons are, they need to start setting their farms up better for these changes in climates. Do those things then reap bigger and better rewards instead of the taxpayer having to pay bale-out funds for seasonal changes that will always be there.My job in the healthcare sector can change daily and so can my income but the government or no one else bales us out.
Come on Sharni
Posted on 07-12-2010 13:48 | By spreadmaster
Please remind me when the Government last got into the coffers to bail out BOP farmers?? You should read your comments, they sound bitter & jealous, particularly the first one. You infer that farmers dont know how to do it hard!! More like townies have no idea how much hard work is involved in farming. Your bale out comments are way off the mark.
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