Actions for farmers during a drought
Talk to an industry association
Other drought advice and guidance
Monitor your feed situation
Every year, there is potential for dry conditions.
This may lead to shortages of livestock feed in some regions. Ongoing feed planning and budgeting is essential.
Information is available to support you to prepare and get through.
Preparing for dry weather – Fact sheet [PDF, 2.6 MB]
Feed in dry times – Fact sheet [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Get help with feed planning
Having a feed budget can help you:
- calculate your feed demand
- calculate your feed supply
- investigate options to fill feed gaps
- proactively make decisions.
Getting a plan in place can help give you peace of mind. Farm advisers are available to help you complete a feed budget or source alternative feed.
- For drystock farmers, freephone Beef + Lamb NZ on 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)
- For dairy farmers, freephone DairyNZ on 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4324 7969)
- MPI’s On Farm Support service can be contacted on 0800 707 133.
Drought forecasting tools
A drought forecasting tool is available to help farmers and growers prepare for periods of dryness and drought.
It uses innovative climate modelling, the latest in machine-learning, and other data-driven techniques.
The tool is updated daily and provides forecasts at a higher spatial resolution.
This enables the provision of district-level predictions of dryness and drought.
The tool, developed by Earth Sciences New Zealand and MPI and launched in October 2023, supplements the NZ Drought Index (NZDI).
Drought forecasting tool – NIWA
Hawke's Bay drought indicator
A drought risk indicator tool is also available for rural communities in Hawke's Bay.
The tool was designed by the regional council with funding from MPI and in partnership with the Hawke's Bay Rural Advisory Group.
Drought Risk Indicator – Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Contact a Rural Support Trust
Each of the country’s 14 Rural Support Trusts have local, rural people who know from experience that pressures can mount up. Your local trust can provide support and advice. Talking to them is confidential, and free of charge. They can connect you with the services you need, whether it's financial and business advice or health services.
Freephone 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP).
Talk to an industry association
Industry associations, such as DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Deer Industry New Zealand, can provide technical advice.
Their websites have information on planning your feed budget and managing an animal's condition.
Feed Planning – Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Drought feeding and management – Deer Industry NZ [PDF, 276 KB]
Check your budget
Talk to your bank and accountant early, and talk to them regularly.
Your accountant and Inland Revenue, can answer questions relating to taxes, including access to flexibility provisions to the Income Equalisation Scheme following adverse events.
Extended support for farmers affected by drought – Inland Revenue
Income Equalisation Scheme – Inland Revenue
Family Tax Credits – Inland Revenue
There is some Work and Income support that you could access. Talk to your local Rural Support Trust about emergency benefits, special needs grants, or rural assistance payments.
Emergency Benefit – Work and Income
Special Needs Grant – Work and Income
Rural Assistance Payment – Work and Income
Other drought advice and guidance
In 2021, four sheep and beef farms shared their experience of managing through drought.
The case studies contain useful tips and information:
- Winterhome – Kekerengu, Marlborough [PDF, 1.6 MB]
- Ridgecliff – Banks Peninsula, Canterbury [PDF, 2.4 MB]
- The Homestead – Ward Beach, Marlborough [PDF, 3.5 MB]
- Attadale – Middlemarch, Otago [PDF, 1.1 MB]
Other resources
Prepare your lifestyle or small block for a hot, dry summer [PDF, 3.9 MB]
Feed in dry conditions – Fact sheet [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about droughts or support for farmers, email info@mpi.govt.nz