Ten and a half thousand of the country’s dairy farmers will soon have a better idea of their financial health, as Fonterra prepares to announce its final payout and annual result.

The co-op last month stuck by its forecast before retentions of $6.90-$7.10 per kilo of milk solids.

Since then, earthquakes, finance company collapses and bad weather have cast doubt on the final number.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chairman Lachlan McKenzie says with all that to deal with the payout hasn’t dominated farmers’ thoughts.

"Farmers at the moment are more focused on this storm going through the countryside, trying to ensure their stock have shelter.

"Maybe after it’s passed we can turn our focus to the payout and hopefully it’s good news.”

Mr McKenzie says  farmers are always hopeful but not confident of a final payout above the forecast range.

“We’re ever hopeful there’s going to be an improvement on what’s forecast and there’s a few more cents there.

"Things have been tight, although we at least expect to get what’s been forecast."

Fonterra reached an export record of 2.1 million tonnes of milk products for the year ended July 31.