Big dry heading north —Moyle

Press, 18 March 1989, Page 2

Big dry heading north —Moyle

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington Marlborough farmers affected by the spreading drought conditions have been urged to review their financial situation urgently with their advisers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle, said the drought was extending north from Canterbury. Pockets of farming in southern Kaikoura, the Clarence River area and at Seaview near Seddon were suffering drought effects similar to those in North Otago and North Canterbury.

In general, the Marlborough hill country was better placed to cope than other parts of the province, he said.

Although the Kaikoura dairying area was also affected, it would probably be able to manage better because of the higher dairy payout. The main impact of the drought in Marlborough would be on incomes and seasonal finance next year, Mr Moyle said, so it was imperative that farmers affected urgently reviewed their financial situation with financiers.

Any further action by him would hinge on the information that came out of farmer-financier negotiations so the sooner farmers made their financial assessments the better.