Beat the Heat events

 DairyNZ Bay of Plenty regional team leader Sharon Morrell says that farmers in the region have been significantly affected by the drier than normal conditions throughout this summer.

"A number of farmers have already moved to milking once-a-day or once every 16 hours," says Morrell.

"With very little rain since late December, pasture covers are low, there's a shortage of supplementary feed and some farmers have, or are in the process of, drying-off.

"There has been a small amount of rain but this was not enough to break the dry spell. We need at least 60-70mm of sustained rainfall plus follow-up rain."

To help dairy farmers manage their way through the drought DairyNZ has organised the series of 'beat the heat' events throughout the region. In many cases these will take the place of planned discussion groups.

"This is an opportunity to get ideas from fellow farmers and obtain practical advice from DairyNZ consulting officers and other rural professionals on how to manage the damage to this season and prevent it from flowing through to the next," says Morrell.

Each 'beat the heat' event will cover dry summer topics such as regaining or preserving cow condition and most cost effective and practical feed management options.

Farmers can contact their local DairyNZ consulting officer or go to the DairyNZ website (www.dairynz.co.nz/drysummer) for more information on the events.

DairyNZ dry summer events

Tues 12 Mar, 11am-1.30pm, Raymond & Amanda Fletcher, 86 Earl Rd, Reporoa, SN Miraka 503

Wed 13 Mar, 11am-1.30pm, Wilson James, 75 McLean Rd Awakeri, SN 21958

Thur 14 Mar, 11am-1.30pm, James Cawte, 34 Pongakawa Bush Rd, Pongakawa, Te Puke, SN 2159

Tue 19 Mar, 11am-1.30pm, Greg Gordon, 74 Woodlands Rd, Waihi, SN 75975

Wed 20 Mar, 11am-1.30pm, Peter MacDonald, 103 Republican Rd, Rerewhakaaitu, SN 78854

Mon 25 Mar, 10.30-1.00pm, Tony & Wayne Chamberlin, 1542 Tihoi Rd, Tihoi, SN Miraka 801