Measuring everything prepares dryland farms for El Niño
Composite sheep, lucerne and opportunity stock replaced the system that failed in the 1997 Marlborough drought.
|November 5, 2026Listen to the full interview:
Forecast to Farm, brought to you by Ravensdown, your partner behind the farm gate. Turning weather insights into practical information to help New Zealand farmers plan with confidence.
A Marlborough farmer says his dryland system of lucerne, clovers and opportunity stock is one of the strongest sheep and beef models in the country.
Farmer, mentor and author Doug Avery says the 1997 drought broke him and forced him to change everything.
He says the farm switched from Corriedales to composite sheep that sell anywhere in New Zealand, and half its stock is now opportunity stock.
Avery says knowing in advance which 25% of stock to sell in a dry spell saves 75% of the potential. “If you don’t measure stuff, you can’t manage stuff.”
He says farmers feeling the pressure should reach out rather than go further down the rabbit hole. “No one can help you if you don’t seek help.”
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