Source: Federated Farmers
The Government’s declaration of a medium-scale adverse event for Southland and Clutha is a welcome step for farmers are under huge stress, Federated Farmers says.
“Conditions are extremely wet and cold, and the persistent rain means there is little or no grass growth,” Feds Southland president Chris Dillon says.
“We’ve endured the wettest winter in 46 years and for the third season in a row, spring is also unusually sodden.
“For many farmers, feed for their livestock is very tight – or gone.”
The adverse events declaration comes with $50,000 for the Southland and Otago Rural Support Trusts to provide more help on the ground, including recovery and wellbeing events.
“It allows the RSTs to pull a few more levers for support, and ways of easing stress for farming families and staff tired out from the long hours of lambing and calving,” Dillon says.
The classification also unlocks tax relief, including more flexible timing of tax payments, and enables the Ministry of Social Development to consider Rural Assistance Payments for farmers who can’t meet essential living costs.
Near-record rainfalls in parts of the Clutha District over winter have also continued into spring.
Federated Farmers Otago president Anna Gillespie says the lack of grass growth will be weighing on the mind of farmers struggling to find supplementary feed, and aware of medium-term impacts as the summer dry looms.
Like Dillon, Gillespie she hasn’t heard reports of significant stock losses but says that impact may yet come.
“Livestock are starting to not cope with the rain, mud and cold. Lamb survival and growth will be back on what it should be,” she says.
“We’re grateful the Government is recognising this is a tough time for our farmers.”
Compounding the wet, there is now a high wind warning out for Otago and Southland.
Dillon urges farmers to exercise extra caution on-farm in the coming days and weeks.
“The waterlogged ground, and impact from the storm last year, means the roots of large trees could be very loose,” Dillon says.
“So, everyone should take care around trees and be aware that soil this wet heightens the risk of slips and landslides.”
Dillon says farmers and lifestyle block owners should be aware that if they can’t drive onto the paddocks themselves, heavy emergency services won’t be able to either.
“If you are going somewhere where access is likely to be difficult, make sure you take suitable communication devices with you.
“Access could be limited to helicopters, or on foot.”