As drought conditions continue to bite in Hawke's Bay, a number of feed runs have been organised to help small block holders care for their animals.
With conditions the driest they've been in decades, farmers have struggled in recent months with bare fields and hungry stock.
Many have already used much of their supplementary feed reserves, meaning they now face tough decisions about how to manage their stock.
Last month farmers in Wairarapa banded together to send feed to their neighbours in Hawke's Bay with the Rapa Feed Run.
Now, two more feed runs are planned to take place over the coming weekends, specifically aimed at helping small block holders.
They come after the first lifestyle feed run took place over Queen's Birthday weekend, where 1300 hay bales were distributed.
"We wanted to put in place some assistance for people responsible for small blocks," said Lochie MacGillivray, co-chair of the Rural Advisory Group.
"We will run lifestyle feed runs over the next two weekends, however we are getting to the bottom of the barrel in terms of hay availability, and so unless we find suitable alternative feed sources, we will finish after next weekend."
With reserves running so low, MacGillivray urged lifestyle block owners to continue sourcing their own feed and to plan carefully to get through the winter.
"Unfortunately the nature of this prolonged drought means that the feed deficit will continue for a while yet."
The feed was provided by a number of local businesses, while transportation was funded by the Hawke's Bay Drought Relief Fund.
A Givealittle page was recently set up to allow the public to donate to the fund, with more than $8000 raised so far.
