Southland/South Otago storms 2010
Overview
The spring storm of 2010 in Southland and South Otago, the worst for over 50-years, looks set to surpass the economic loss caused to agriculture by the Canterbury earthquake. Federated Farmers is now working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Rural Support Trusts, Rural Woman New Zealand and supportive agribusinesses, following the medium scale adverse event declaration on 23 September.
Important information and acknowledgements
The first step is to get help to the areas that have been hardest hit. This will now start on Monday, 27 September, as more planning was needed as the scale of the event becomes clearer. Federated Farmers field officers and agribusiness staff will be calling on farmers in the hardest hit areas, with a food parcel and a contact sheet for further assistance. Those calling on farmers will have a list of questions to ask farmers to identify the areas of need.
These questions are:
- What is the biggest challenge you will be facing over the next week?
- What can be done to assist you?
- Do you need further labour?
- Do you need extra food or medical needs?
- Do you need assistance to get rid of dead stock?
- What supplements do you need?
- Do you know of anyone who needs help?
Federated Farmers will also be coordinating what is needed and what is available over the second weekend, especially feed, labour and machinery.
Any affected farmer can call Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646 or the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
Farmers can also contact Mental Health Southland on 0800 467 846, Dunedin Hospital on 03 474 0999 or your local GP.
Federated Farmers wishes to publicly thank Alliance Group, FMG, ASB Bank, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, CRT and PGG Wrightson for their practical and financial support. We need the support of all agri-business firms and if you can help, please call 0800 327 646.
Post-storm meetings for Southland and south Otago farmers
The Rural Support Trust, with support from Federated Farmers and the major Adverse Events Trust donors, Alliance, ASB, Balance and FMG held a series of storm recovery meetings. The meetings involved a number of specialists covering their areas of expertise, aimed at providing good information and solutions for you to apply on-farm. Farmers came along and heard about their options to make use of extra feed, tips on financial planning, feed management, animal health and stress management and took the opportunity to talk with other farmers about what options they are taking to mitigate the impact of the storms on their farms.
Addtional information from Rural Support Southland
Immediate feed supplies
As a way to help farmers who face a shortage of feed as a result of last weeks storms, Federated Farmers has compiled a list of feed that is available - much of it in the South Island.
The list can be accessed by clicking here.
All farmers, members and non-members, are welcome to access this list and to make contact with the feed suppliers listed.
Federated Farmers is offering the feed list as a tool to help source feed for those who need it. Feed buyers can use the list to purchase feed directly from suppliers. Federated Farmers will not be involved in organising transport, pricing arrangements or other aspects of these transactions.
Federated Farmers member updates
150 farmers pack Wyndham for post-storm meeting
Released 5 October 2010
150 farmers attended the first joint Federated Farmers/Rural Support Trust Southland meeting in Wyndham to help farmers move from the response to the recovery phase. A second meeting is being held in Otautau tonight and Balclutha tomorrow evening. Read more »
Federated Farmers post-storm meetings next week in Southland and South Otago
Released 3 October 2010
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. Read more »
Southland/south Otago adverse event - Tuesday update
Released 28 Sep 2010
Teams continue to find significant stock losses in coastal South Otago as well as in Southland. Federated Farmers also thanks the Alliance Group, FMG, ASB Bank, Westpac, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, CRT and PGG Wrightson for their assistance and/or financial contributions.
Read more »
Federated Farmers delivers food baskets
Released 28 Sep 2010
Federated Farmers, along with the Rural Support Trusts, Alliance Group, FMG, PGG Wrightson and CRT delivered about 800 food baskets today to Southlanders affected by the spring snow.
Read more »
Southland and South Otago farmer support hits the road
Released 26 Sep 2010
Federated Farmers, the Rural Support Trusts, Alliance Group, FMG, PGG Wrightson and CRT representatives are heading into the hardest hit areas to see farmers individually.
Read more »
Southland Storm 2010 - Saturday update
Released 25 Sep 2010
Together with the Rural Support Trust Southland, MAF and supportive agribusinesses, we are in detailed planning over the weekend. Farmers in the worst affected areas should start seeing these teams from Monday. If you need urgent help then please call 0800 327 646.
Read more »
Severe weather in Southland and South Otago
Released 24 Sep 2010
The recent weather conditions will have taken a significant toll on rural families, with farmers working themselves to the point of exhaustion to look after their stock, family and neighbours.
Read more »
Southland and South Otago farmers - help is on the way
Released 23 Sep 2010
Federated Farmers is working with the Government and the Rural Support Trusts to help farmers. Please forward this advisory onto your neighbours and any farmer in need.
Read more »
