The El Nino forecast is bad news for farmers in north Canterbury, who could face a year-on-year drought.
Farmers have been feeding out since January at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now the Government has extended its drought declaration through to February next year.
When it comes to feeding livestock, the limit's only two bales each sent in from mid-Canterbury, Westport and Oamaru.
Six-hundred in total have been donated and every one of them is appreciated.
The drought is getting worse; farmers have been feeding out since January this year, with no end in sight.
North Canterbury junior vice president and meat and fibre chairperson for Federated Farmers, Dan Hodgen, says it's costing farmers massive amounts.
"There won't be many that it's not costing six figures."
The problem is simple - there's been no decent rain since last winter.
Andy Fox farms an hour north of Christchurch, and says rainfall is a luxury at the moment.
"We probably only have a third of our annual rainfall to the end of July."
Two-hundred millilitres in the last eight months has meant the lack of any grass is so bad, sheep are beginning to surround the trucks that are bringing them food.
The Government has extended the drought declaration period out to February next year, and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says there has been a substantial boost in support to those most in need.
"Today we are announcing an extra $100,000 for rural support on the east coast of the South Island."
But its rain they all want and it's something money can't buy.
Farmers don't normally give away much, but they admit they are in survival mode.
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