A handful of North Canterbury farmers are being offered help to resow some of their pasture, which has disappeared in the drought that has hammered the region.
There has been no heavy rain in the area since June of last year. Photo: RNZ / Patrick Phelps
Ten farmers will receive free soil testing, fertiliser, seeds, spraying and drilling to resow five hectares of pasture under a new initiative launched by South Canterbury company Duncan Ag.
Five rural companies have joined forces to make it happen over the next few months.
Duncan Ag area manager Robert Barker said the companies were quick to jump on board to help with something practical for the farmers and restoring dead paddocks was chosen.
Mr Barker said the project will continue through until mid-September, starting with soil testing and fertiliser advice.
"A few years ago we did a project in Australia, there was an area that had a large drought, and so we lent them a drill for the local farmers to use and they were able to reseed their pastures with that.
"With the North Canterbury one, the initiative is to work with the local contractor to reseed some of the areas affected by drought. We've offered to reseed about 50 hectares of land, so around ten farmers with five hectares each."
