Farmers in Otago says rain had better come quick otherwise it may end up doing more damage than good.
Otago has not had any significant rainfall since the middle of last year and many pastures are grey and unproductive.
Federated Farmers says a good dumping of rain is needed now, before winter arrives, otherwise it will make the situation worse.
If the region does not get any significant rainfall in the next week or two, Otago president Michael Lord says he expects it will be declared in a drought.
However, Central Otago farmer Andrew Pattison says he believes the region should have been declared a drought zone a month ago.
Mr Pattison says his family has been recording official rainfall levels on their farm since 1948 and the past 10 years have been the driest on record.
