'Unprecedented' numbers of livestock from drier regions coming into Hawke's Bay

Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay president Will Foley. Photo/file

Hot, dry weather throughout the North Island has led to an increase in livestock coming into Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay made last week's Niwa Hotspot Watch as one of five North Island areas to experience soil moisture deficits but is faring better than other areas.

The watch monitors soil moisture across the country to help assess whether severely to extremely dry conditions are occurring or imminent which is charted in soil moisture deficit maps.

Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay president Will Foley said the region had an unprecedented amount of livestock coming in from other areas at this time of year due to regions such as Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty being particularly dry and unable to cater for more livestock.

"The other areas that normally do well are much drier than usual.

"They are starting to suffer a bit but Hawke's Bay has been sheltered by thunderstorms.

"Hawke's Bay is probably the best place around."

Livestock transport companies had been inundated with orders to move a huge amount of stock from other areas into the region, he said.

"It's unheard of to be doing so well in Hawke's Bay, [the other regions] would normally be drawing the stock out of Hawke's Bay.

"We are one of the areas that are doing well to absorb the stock."

The majority of stock coming in is from Wairarapa because it has probably been hit the worst with dryness, he said.

Because Hawke's Bay is only as dry as usual at this time of year, and had such a wet winter and spring there is more grass than normal which is a relief for farmers, and stock.

"My feeling is that this stage this is probably no dissimilar to normal."

Soil moisture deficit maps usually show some areas that are extremely dry and others doing reasonably well at this time of year, Mr Foley said.

However, the entire North Island is looking "quite stressed" at the moment.

Hawke's Bay at this time of year it is quite normal to be starting to dry off so the region is able to absorb the stock but if it got any drier it would cause problems, he said.

Brendan Foley, of Foleys Transport, said his company had been especially busy over the last month moving stock into Hawke's Bay.

"It's definitely busier than normal at this time of year, a lot of stock is being moved."

He said some stock was also leaving the district but the amount coming into Hawke's Bay was higher than usual.