New Zealand's Waikato region in need of substantial rain

Much more rain is needed before the drought, which started in early April in the Waikato region is over, the Waikato Rural Support Trust said.

The trust said calls to its helpline have eased over the past week. Chairman Neil Bateup said this may be due to the fact that the hardest-hit farmers have already made contact.

Bateup said many farmers will be getting increasingly worried, given that substantial rain has still not fallen.

Between 20 millimetres and 40mm has been recorded in the past week. However, another 75mm is needed over three to four days and then ongoing rain to keep pastures healthy before the drought has broken.

Every day that dry conditions continue, the ability to grow grass for winter lessens and farmers worried about coping need to start talking to their farm adviser, accountant or bank, Bateup said.

Drought-stricken farmers are being advised to make the most of the unusually high soil temperatures for this time of year. Fertiliser cooperative Ballance Agri-Nutrients said soil temperatures are holding up well under milder conditions, so cattle farmers should look to grow as much grass as possible before they drop.

Science extension manager Aaron Stafford said recent rainfall in several of the drought regions will also help in boosting pasture cover before winter.

Stafford said new research has found that farmers do not need to hold off from applying nitrogen fertiliser until drought-breaking rain. The forecast of a milder winter is also likely to help in pasture recovery, he said.