Ms Jonker said that, as well as a shortage of PKE, last season's haylage and silage production was low, leaving many farmers with few options but to dry out their beasts.
She said December and January were not too bad and with rain predicted for February many Northland farmers did not take up contracts for PKE.
But with the rain not coming some were caught short.
Ms Jonker said many farmers were relying on hay, but this was not good for milking and there was not a lot to go around.
She said that during the 2010 drought - the worst in Northland for 60 years - farmers from Waikato trucked up spare hay bales, but with that region also facing drought conditions Northland's farmers could not rely on them this time.
"Things are pretty desperate for farmers up here and it seems to be hit after hit [with the feed shortage]," she said.
An RD1 spokeswoman said its PKE stocks were low and there was none available on the spot market other than in Tauranga, where a ship unloaded a cargo of PKE last week - although that was for already contracted farmers.
"All contracted tonnage is guaranteed and will be delivered as per contract agreement," the spokeswoman said.
"We advise there is still some spot market tonnage available to Northland farmers out of Tauranga but this is not expected to last long," the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for Ravensdown said the PKE situation was changing daily but all its contracted customers were guaranteed their delivery. The company had some PKE on its spot market, but this was going fast and farmers who needed it should get some contracted soon or risk missing out.
As of Friday, the three-month contract price for PKE was $330 a tonne.
Meanwhile, the Inland Revenue Department has announced help for drought-hit Northland farmers.
Those whose current or future income will be significantly affected by the drought will be able to make late deposits for the 2012 income year to April 30. The concession means farmers can better plan their financial response to the conditions.
