Taranaki Rural Support Trust drought update
Following the weekend’s rain, the Taranaki Rural Support Trust has advised the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
(MAF) to keep its application for a medium scale adverse event declaration on hold.
“The Taranaki Rural Support Trust has met to discuss drought conditions given the recent weather we’ve had,” says Peter
Adamski, chairperson of the Taranaki Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers Taranaki provincial president.
“It was decided that our request to MAF will be put on hold and reviewed weekly as weather conditions change.
“MAF have been advised that we still have three major areas of concern, especially coastal Taranaki, where rainfall has
not been plentiful.
“We are further concerned about the availability of supplemental feed in the region, with seriously low levels being
made and little available for purchase.
“Even with the weekend’s rain, it will take some three weeks before pasture levels return to normal summer levels. This
all hinges on continued rainfall into the New Year or we’ll be right back to square one.
“The dry spring has also seen an almost wholesale failure in winter feed crops. This means the effect of these
drought-like conditions will be felt well into this season, if not the next.
“The Taranaki Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers advises farmers to plan and monitor their situation, taking
appropriate early action where required,” Mr Adamski concluded.
ENDS