Farmers are lifting their heads with the potential of showers forecast, but even a few good downpours might not be enough to turn the effects of the dry completely, says Federated Farmers Taranaki president Harvey Leach.
"Farmers should be planning ahead now and look forward to where they need to
be at the end of the first round of calving. Feed budgets are crucial and that goes hand in hand with cashflow - planning needs to be done now for the next 12 months."
MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett says there is a good chance of rain later this week to early next week. That is expected to be followed by a settled spell with more rain-bearing troughs appearing from April.
Taranaki has asked the Minister of Primary Industries that the province be declared a medium-scale drought area.
"This, firstly will be an acknowledgement that there is hardship. Secondly, assistance can be co-ordinated through Rural Support Trust for farm advisory and counselling services, and thirdly it allows discretion from Inland Revenue on things like income equalisation.
A declaration does not mean that there will be cash hand-outs, only hardship payments for those in extreme need."
Not all Taranaki has been affected equally. South Taranaki is the worst hit, followed by the north and then Central Taranaki.