They have really started worrying about the lack of rain here. It is seriously affecting the farming community. It has probably rained less than 10 days this year. Normally the first 2 weeks of May are rainy in Hawkes Bay and that sets the grass growing for the winter here. But it has not rained for weeks. So the farmers are in dire straits.
They do not have enough fodder to carry them through this drought. Cattle are always outdoors grazing all winter. The grass is not growing and they are unable to source fodder from elsewhere in NZ and thus having to sell off much of their stock at low prices.
Also, Hawkes Bay is used by farmers outside the area as a location for wintering their stock. As there is no fodder, farmers locally are losing incomes 0f $30k - $60k. This will probably have a longer term impact on the whole region.
This is apparently the driest year for 30 years. In some ways we are fortunate to have happened on the good weather, but it is not great for others!
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