Farmers in areas that have been affected by drought are struggling to keep stock fed despite greatly reduced stock numbers.
Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairman in Wairarapa, Alan Stuart, describes the conditions as grim as the region recovers from two consecutive droughts.
Mr Stuart says cold, wet conditions have stopped pasture growth and farmers are barely getting by with feed supplies.
However, he says stock are in reasonable condition because farmers had to reduce the numbers of animals during the droughts.
