Drought Makes Targets Tougher
Posted on: Thursday, 1 May 2008, 12:00 CDT
By CHANDAR, Sonita
Effects of the drought are apparent on each of the farms in the Tararua monitor programme, reports Sonita Chandar. ----------------- --- T he three farms in Tararua District monitor farm programme have just completed the first of a three- year programme.
The Meat and Wool NZ Monitor Farm Programme usually has only the one farm participating, but after public consultation, three were selected for the current programme. It was felt that with more farms, local farmers would be able to identify with at least one of the participants and be able to attend Monitor Farm Days easily.
The theme of this programme is profitability, and the challenges facing farmers in the next five years, with targets set for each farm and monitoring of actions being taken to achieve those targets.
The three farms chosen were Andrew and Vicky Ellingham, Bryan and Anna Speedy and Arthur and Sara Waugh. All three provide an overview from very dry to very wet, and offer a number of different farming policies.
Andrew and Vicky Ellingham farm 1120 effective ha in Ormondville. The farm ranges from easy to medium hill country, with average rainfall about 1200mm.
Mr Ellingham says the farm has been badly affected by the drought , but recent rain has seen an improvement in conditions. "The ewe condition is average and we will not be mating the hoggets, because they are not up to weight and neither are our cattle."
Mr and Mrs Ellingham had already set their own targets. At the time, Mr Ellingham was optimistic targets would be met as they had come very close in previous years.
"We can't reach our full potential because of the drought, which has been going on for two years now. If we get a decent spring, then I am optimistic of meeting our targets. I have to be optimistic. It has been difficult, but it is the same for everyone - we are all in the same boat."
Bryan and Anna Speedy, who farm 680 effective ha in Herbertville, say that although the drought has affected them this year, it is not as bad as last year.
Management strategies in place saw them sell a large number of lambs at weaning time, which meant ewes have maintained good weights.
"We still have a bit of a hangover from last year, which was really bad, but our capital stock is in good shape and we have some grass going into winter. As long as we are astute with our feed, we should be okay. That's the plan anyway and I think it's up to Plan D or E."
Mr and Mrs Speedy also had set their own goals before entering the programme. At the time, Mr Speedy says he felt he was being a bit over- optimistic, but he is sure they will now meet those targets.
Arthur and Sara Waugh farm 1700ha effective in Kohinui. The farm is true hill country, with average rainfall about 1500mm.
Mr Waugh says the drought over the past two years has affected him severely.
"We have been farming for over 40 years and we have never experienced anything like this."
With gross income over the past four to five years halved, rising costs, lack of feed and markets for their stock, Mr Waugh says he has started cutting costs wherever possible, including not putting on fertiliser.
Mr Waugh also says that targets set for the farm were realistic, but with the impact of the drought, they would not be achieved.
"I feel really sorry for the facilitators, Trevor Cook and Christine Donald. They certainly have their work cut out for them and what makes it harder is that we are in the spotlight."
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(c) 2008 Evening Standard; Palmerston North, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Evening Standard; Palmerston North, New Zealand
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