On a daily basis, land that grazed sheep is now being converted to dairying or arable use as those uses are currently more profitable. Another element of the transformation is productive pastoral land being converted to lifestyle blocks. This trend is not new, but the momentum is picking up.

Most lifestylers are part-time farmers who often work in main centres and who work on their properties at the  weekend, and as they would see it, get the best of both worlds. But I recall a farm adviser once telling a lifestyle farmer that “if they owned a cow, they owned a herd, and of they owned a sheep, they owned a flock”.

Commercial farmers have the advantage of seeing their animals on a daily basis and are able to react quickly to any contingency that may arise. Whereas it is possible for a problem to go unnoticed for sometime on a lifestyle block.

I always advise new lifestyle block owners to get to know their closest full time farming neighbour well. They will be a great source of advice and assistance, as is the rural way.

At the time of writing, most of New Zealand is experiencing dry conditions which require careful monitoring and timely management. Feed is scarce and animals need to be cared for as best as possible given the circumstances. It is important that lifestyle farmers, like their commercial counterparts are aware of the need to look after their stock as best they can at this time. Plenty of fresh water for cattle is essential – they can consume up to 100 litres a day.

During adverse weather conditions, all farmers need to develop a plan to deal with the situation and to seek advice and help so that they make the right decisions. There is a plenty of help available through stock and station agents, MAF advisers and farm consultants.

For its part, Federated Farmers are participating in an industry wide initiative to help manage the drought to ensure that production losses are kept to the minimum. Federated Farmers also set up a special 0800 number, 0800 335 663 to put farmers who are short of feed in touch with those who have feed for sale.