Welcome rain across the North Island has put Taranaki farmers’ calls for a drought declaration on hold.

Constant rain over the weekend is continuing across the region, with some areas recording more than 150mm since Friday.

Taranaki Federated Farmers President Peter Adamski says the official request to MAF hasn’t been withdrawn, but the downpour has put the process on ice.

“We are putting it on hold, the application’s been put on the table at this time.

“The coastal strip from Opunake to Rahotu hasn’t had the same rainfall, and there are still large problems with supplementary feed levels in Taranaki because the grass won’t grow overnight.”

Peter Adamski says the application will be revisited and a decision made early in the New Year, when long range forecasts are available.