The drought situation has eased slightly in Marlborough with more than 50mm of rain falling two weeks ago, but farmers are still struggling to get supplement stored for winter and autumn.

Pelorus dairy farmer Bruce Richmond said there was virtually no supplement available and what there was, was very expensive. There has also been a widespread failure of summer crops.

The small fall of rain meant adequate growth was occurring for the time being but farmers were concerned at how they will survive the winter with low feed stores.

“Palm kernel isn’t an option during winter. There is not much else to do apart from wintering off. There might be some straw available but even that is hard to get and quite expensive,” Mr Richmond said.

“Farmers are going to go into winter short of feed and that sets them off for a terrible season.”

Supplement, which usually costs $60 a bale, is now around $100.

Climate and Land Matters consultant Ian Blair recently completed a drought assessment of the region and found there was only 40% of usual supplement (hay and silage) made.

Traditionally, supplement is sourced from Canterbury, but farmers there have been turning away from supplement growing and towards grain or viticulture because it fetches higher prices.

One answer for Blenheim farmers could be grape marc (grape skins, seeds and pulp). Grape marc can be mixed with maize or silage at a 50:50 ratio and is available very cheaply.

If farmers have silage available the grape marc mix could be used as winter feed.

“Grape marc is one benefit of living on the doorstep of wineries.”

Mr Richmond said he basically just pays for the cost of transport and he will be mixing it with maize to use as autumn feed.

“It helps the wineries out in that they have a problem getting rid of it, because it becomes an environmental hazard that the councils monitor.”

The leachate (liquid) from grape marc contains contaminants that will degrade soil, pasture and water quality, unless managed appropriately.