Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Southland council holds off declaring drought

Updated at 6:51 am on 13 January 2012

The Southland Regional Council is to hold off declaring a drought in the province - for now.

December was one of the driest months on record in the region and although some rain was falling in Southland on Thursday and heavier downpours were predicted for the following day, the council remains concerned there will be months more of dry weather.

The chief executive of the Southland Regional Council says modelling shows much of the region could expect up to 15 millimetres of rain in 24 hours from Thursday evening.

However, Ciaran Keogh warns that if the rain does not arrive within the next week, the council will again consider the drought scenario, which will trigger help from the Government.

Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers met in Wallacetown, near Invercargill, on Thursday to discuss ways of managing the dry spell.

The meeting is one of seven organised by Dairy New Zealand to offer practical advice.

Dairy New Zealand consulting officer Anna Kempthorne says farmers are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst.

Ms Kempthorne says no-one is panicking but all options, from reducing milking to drying off herds completely, may be considered.

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