Hawke's Bay farmers gathered in Maraekakaho recently for a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farming for Profit event focused on preparing for dry conditions.
The event brought together seasonal outlooks, feed planning advice and farmer experiences to help attendees think about how they can build resilience into their systems before feed pressures emerge.
Speakers included Dr Nithin Krishna from Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Monty White from Agricom, alongside a panel of local farmers who shared what has and hasn't worked for them during previous dry periods.
The seasonal outlook presented at the event indicated a high likelihood of warmer temperatures and lower rainfall, soil moisture and river flows across the Hawke’s Bay region this summer. While presenters stressed that seasonal outlooks are not weather forecasts, the message was clear: planning early gives farmers more options.
Ali Forbes, B+LNZ Extension Manager for the region, says a key theme throughout the day was the importance of flexibility.
“Forage crops can play an important role in helping farmers manage feed gaps during a dry summer, but success starts with planning early. The discussion focused on understanding your feed demand, choosing the right crops for your system and taking action while opportunities are still available.”
Farmer advice
The farmer panel reinforced that successful drought management starts well before dry conditions arrive. Key takeaways included:
- Use feed budgets, trigger points and flexible stock policies to guide decision-making throughout the season.
- Make decisions early, whether that's reducing stock numbers, changing lamb finishing plans, increasing supplementary feed reserves or delaying livestock purchases.
- Regularly monitor pasture covers, crop performance and animal condition, and use these measurements to trigger action before a situation becomes critical.
- Work through drought scenarios in advance and review plans with staff, advisers and trusted peers.
- Lean on discussion groups and industry networks, with panellists noting that having a clear plan can reduce stress and support better decision-making during challenging conditions.
The overarching message from the day was that preparing for dry periods is not about responding to a forecast. It is about building flexibility into the farming system every year through sound feed planning, clear decision-making triggers and early action.
“Don't wait for a drought forecast to start planning” was a recurring message from the event, with speakers encouraging farmers to know their pasture covers, model different scenarios and make decisions while options are still available.
The Hawke's Bay Farming for Profit event was supported by Agricom as part of B+LNZ’s Farming for Profit programme.
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