Federated Farmers post-storm meetings next week in Southland and South Otago

The first full week of joint Federated Farmers/Rural Support Trust Southland initiatives has seen a picture of need built, while the second week will see a series of meetings to outline the options farmers have. Meeting details are at the bottom of this media release.

“As a team, we moved quickly to break the ice with food parcels, which were primarily aimed at gathering information from affected farmers,” says Rod Pemberton, Federated Farmers Southland provincial president.

“The key was to find out what farmers needed to get them back on their feet and back in the business of farming. These important findings will be outlined at meetings in Wyndham on Monday, Otautau on Tuesday and Balclutha on Wednesday.

“The Federated Farmers Adverse Events Trust, thanks to the financial contributions of Alliance Group, FMG, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and ASB Bank, has so far supplied just over $100,000 in direct aid.

“These contributions enabled dozens of teams to get out on-farm last week, where they were joined by staff from PGG Wrightson, CRT, Ag ITO as well as Silver Fern Farms.

“Staff from the National Bank and Pak N Save helped organise and pack some 1200 parcels with information sheets. Ravensdown, Westpac, BNZ, Rabobank and the National Bank have also been prominent in the affected areas.

“This shows the large team that has been mustered with the singular goal of helping farmers out of the worst storm event here since probably 1949.

“One need identified is feed and Federated Farmers feedlist now has over 10,000 bales and more than 1,300 tonnes of other feed. This isn’t just for Southland and South Otago farmers, as several North Island offerings may be suitable for Manawatu farmers, who have also experienced rough weather over the past month.

“If any farmer needs stock feed then we can safely say that the Federated Farmers feedlist can assist them. Federated Farmers isn’t standing in the market but is facilitating contact between those in need with those able to supply feed.

“Yet if farmers are in a bad way then they should get in contact with me, a member of their provincial Federated Farmers executive or contact 0800 327 646, which is manned over the weekend.

“Our unsubsidised farmers genuinely appreciate the solidarity being shown towards us. A key thing I think every New Zealander wants now is a pretty uneventful October,” Mr Pemberton concluded.

Federated Farmers asks if the media can please help publicise the following meetings (media are very welcome to attend):

Federated Farmers is holding three, post-storm meetings to give all farmers and their families, not just members, a chance to relax and socialise with their neighbours. They are intended to provide farmers with information to help them get back to the business of farming.

The meetings will include short talks about the response to the storm, managing stress, insurance matters, dealing with banks and financial matters as well as animal health. An update from Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust Southland will provide key information to help farmers over the short-term.

As there will be entertainment for the children, it is intended for the entire family with free food and beverages provided. Federated Farmers is delighted that the Southland Stags have kindly loaned the Ranfurly Shield for the Southland meetings and we further hope for some members of the Southern Steel to be in attendance.

Dates, venues and times:

§ Wyndham (Southland) - From 7pm Monday, 4 October at Menzies College Hall, Alma Street (sponsored by the Mataura Licensing Trust)

§ Otautau (Southland) - From 7pm Tuesday, 5 October at the Otautau Combined Sports Complex, 20 Hulme Street

§ Balclutha (South Otago) - From 7pm Wednesday, 6 October at the South Otago Town and Country Club, 1 Yarmouth Street