Hawke's Bay Regional Council launches free drought indicator web app
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is today launching a free easy-to-use drought indicator web app for the region’s rural
community.
The Regional Council designed the tool – the first of its kind in New Zealand - to build drought resilience in the
community with funding from Ministry for Primary Industries and in partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Rural Advisory
Group.
Group Manager of Integrated Catchment Management Iain Maxwell says it is a great way for farmers to get a pulse check on
the key climate conditions on their farm and wider area and support their planning for dry conditions and drought.
“Last year’s severe drought showed us that more tools were required for our farmers to prepare and plan for drought.”
The tool shows a ‘traffic light warning system’ for drought based on live rainfall, soil temperature, soil moisture, and
evapotranspiration data from the council’s 50 climate stations around the region.
“It is intended to take the hassle out of accessing regional climate data for our farmers, and for them to be able to go
to one place and get a live view of climate conditions,” said Mr Maxwell.
Hawke’s Bay Rural Advisory Group chair Lochie MacGillivray says the drought indicator is a fantastic tool that will
support farmers to make decisions early and plan for drought.
The launch of the tool is timely as the region is experiencing concerning dry conditions, particularly in Coastal
Hawke’s Bay as well as areas to the west of Hastings, Mr MacGillivray said.
The drought indicator shows Crownthorpe has the lowest soil moisture data recorded for the last 18 years, and will reach
a stress point of limited pasture growth in 16 days if there is no rain.
“For farmers in this area, we would be recommending that they put together a feed budget and a plan for drought, and
access the support of primary sector organisations if required.”
“We hope that this tool will be well used by the rural community, give them a forward- looking view of the dry
conditions on farm, and help them to make those tough decisions early,” he said.
To access the drought web app, go to hbrc.govt.nz and search #droughtapp