Patchy rain has Whanganui farmers worrying about feed shortage

Ruapehu/Wanganui Rural Support Trust facilitator Brian Doughty says conditions are tough on the coast and in South Taranaki. Photo / file

Rain has been patchy across the Whanganui region, leaving farmers wondering whether their stock will have enough feed over winter.

Added to that, warm weather increases numbers of parasitic worms and the likelihood of facial eczema - and people moving stock have to be mindful of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.

Despite all that, no one has rung the Ruapehu/Wanganui Rural Support Trust asking for help. However, trustee Brian Doughty said the trust was quietly working with six landowners.

"They're people we know about, as a trust. It's about keeping an eye on them, at this stage."

He and co-ordinator Lyn Neeson are not planning the kind of meetings being held in Manawatu.

"The people that we need to get to don't come to the meetings. They're away from that system."

Times are especially tough on the coast and in South Taranaki. Some dairy farmers have dried off herds, and will be without income for months.

Rainfall has been very local. Mr Doughty recorded 11mm of rain one day. His neighbour across the gully got the same amount - but on a different night.

Grass and crop growth is down, and farmers worry they will run out of feed for their animals over winter. Federated Farmers has activated its Feedline, where farmers can ask for or offer feed.

A lot of feed is going to Taranaki, from places like Hawke's Bay and Taihape.

Mr Doughty said at times like this farmers had to have a plan.

"You have to have that in place before dry or wet spells."

On December 23 Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor classified the drought affecting the lower North Island's west coast as medium-scale. That classification lasts six months, and brought extra funding for rural support trusts.