Farmers weather storm well

Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson said farmers all over New Zealand had enough warning from forecasters to be well prepared for the storm that is passing over the country this week.

He said although the lambing and calving season had started for some in the sector there had been no reports of large stock losses.

“It has been an interesting year for farmers, dealing first with drought and now bad storms. If farmers have advanced warning of severe weather the majority will be well prepared.

“Severe weather is a risk that goes alongside the business of farming. The self-help ethic is strong in the rural community and farmers invest considerable amounts of money and effort both individually and collectively into risk management initiatives, such as drainage and irrigation infrastructure, feed and water storage, and flood protection,” he said.