Drought Update - Northland
Welcome to the weekly update from the Northland drought committee for the dairy, horticulture, sheep and beef sectors.
Taking control of things on your farm now will cost you a lot less than trying to catch up once the rain comes.
The droughts of 1945/6 and 1982/3 did not end until April 19th - 22nd. Farmers are encouraged to have a "plan A" (effective rain in early March) and "plan B" (effective rain in late March) that is reviewed and acted on weekly. Take time out from the farm now to relax and interact with others before the rains come. If you or someone you know needs help call 0800 778 667.
Tafi Manjala
Chairman - Extension Sub-Committee
Members:
Tafi Manjala (Chairman), David Swney and James Mwendwa (DairyNZ), Brian Hughes and Linda Stewart (Fonterra), Mike Eagles (Horticulture NZ), Malcolm McCullum (Meat and Wool), Gareth Baynham (AgFirst), Debbie Johnson (Northland Regional Council), Dennis Anderson (Federated Farmers), Roger Taylor (Agricultural recovery facilitator) John Blackwell (Sheep and Beef Council) and Des Hamlin (RD1).
Soil Moisture Deficit 19 February 2010
Source: Northland Regional Council
Current Situation:
- Rainfall last week 0-2mm
- Milk production is -1.5% behind last season but down -6% on a daily basis for the region
- Pasture growth rates are from 5 – 25kgDM/ha/day
- Average pasture covers range between 1400 – 1700kgDM/ha
- Order your pasture seed now. Use direct drilling to fill gaps and complete renovation for cropped paddocks
- Success requires good timing, as well as correct selection of endophytes for your environment and region. Treated seed is cost effective risk management
- Consult seed specialist about endophytes. Ask your seed supplier: What certification do they have?
- How long has it been stored since harvesting and under what conditions?
- Crickets: Farmers are recording good results from cricket baiting. Reported counts falling from 50/m2 to below 5/m2. If cricket numbers are above 10/m2, start baiting. Cost to bait $25-30/ha
- Water restrictions have started in Kaitaia
- The RST Ag Recovery Facilitators on board are Roger Taylor, Luke Beehre and Bruce Cutforth. To booka visit to your farm to discuss drought issues contact Helen Moodie on 0800 778 667.
Rural Assistance Payments are the Governments’ way of providing extra help to farming families affected by an adverse event. This helps them to meet essential living expenses for farming. Payments are cash and off-farm asset tested. Farm/orchard assets such as dairy company, meat company or fertiliser company shares are not included in the off-farm asset testing. For more information call 0800 778 667.
Events:
Let your colleagues and clients know about these drought management events:
General:
- Friday 26th February: Northland Drought Committee meeting. Jordan Valley Farm, 259 Jordan Valley Rd, Hikurangi. Discuss what is working well and what more could be considered for the drought response. 9.30 - 11.30 am
- 4th - 6th March: DROUGHT CENTRAL at Northland Agricultural Field Days. Come along to site 243 (RD1 Road) for the best advice on what you need to be doing and planning for on farm
- Tuesday 6th – Friday 9th April: FREE kids' camp (5 – 13 years) from drought affected farms. Maunu Children’s Health Camp, Whangarei. Activities will include 10-pin Bowling, Wave Pool, etc. Places limited. For more information, phone 0800 788 667 by Friday 12th March
Dairy:
In an effort to help farmers with feed budgets, we are asking anyone who can organise 6 or more farmers to come to their house, please contact their Fonterra area manager or DairyNZ consulting officer. To-date we have held 6 shed meetings where 69 suppliers attended.
Sheep and Beef:
Key Messages:
Below are key messages to help you manage your way through the drought:
Dairy:
- Look after yourself and your team. There is plenty of help and support around - make sure you use it
- Cows with calving dates in early July are approaching 130 days from calving. It is important to check their body condition score in relation to calving targets. Cows at condition score 3 or two year olds at score 3.5 must be dried off now to reach condition score targets for calving.
- Talk to your financial team on options for your farm - tax, income equalisation, interest only options
- Facial eczema is currently low but spore counts are rising. Continue dosing to build up protection. Long term dosing (starting 2-3 weeks before danger period) is 80-90% effective, but crisis dosing (starting treatment when spore counts are high) is only 60% effective
- For more information visit www.dairynz.co.nz/drought
Sheep and Beef:
- Mating ewes: What feed is available to maintain or increase ewe weights prior to tupping? Is there a tail in the ewe mob that can be sold to leave more feed for the better ewes? Consider mating later when there MAY be more fresh growth?
- Have a plan B in case dams run dry - stock must have access to water
- The drought will impact on farming businesses for at least another 12 months. Take a long term view. Where will you be financially in 12 months time? Talk with your accountant and banker now
- For more information visit www.meatnz.co.nz
Horticulture:
- Growers are advised to watch their ground water supplies, and if levels are getting low contact Mike Eagles: m.eagles@xtra.co.nz
- It is best to apply irrigation at night when there is less evaporation. Apply mulch to trees to help retain moisture and do not mow your orchard. Leave the ground cover on to help retain moisture
- Talk to your hort rep/pack houses for advice. Strip-pick trees to reduce stress on trees
- Don't plant young trees now
- For more information visit www.hortnz.co.nz
Useful Links:
- To view the previous Northland drought updates click on the links below:
- To read more about managing the drought in Northland click on the links below:
Contacts:
If you require any further information on the Northland drought, please contact the relevant person below:
    
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