It’s been another mixed bag for Northland farmers this week as the rain band that flooded Southland moved up the country.

Far North farmers got between 7 and 75 millimeters of rain overnight on Tuesday, leaving vastly different results across the province. Some farmers have been quick to dismiss the rain as near worthless. Only scattered rain is forecast for Northland over the next few days.

New figures put the cost of the drought  to Northland’s economy at $500 million. About 400 dairy farms in Northland have now stopped milking for the season, nearly a month early for some.

Federated Farmers says the latest weather outlook for winter is not what farmers in drought areas need.

NIWA’s 3-month forecast is predicting  a milder than usual start to winter and only average rainfall, with soil moisture levels in the upper North Island below normal.

Waikato Federated Farmers president Stew Wadey says  Waikato is desperately dry at the moment and fears conditions could be dire for grass growth.