Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers Sunday morning update)
Released 05 Sep 2010
Do you need assistance?
0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) is now operative:
The Federation's 0800 FARMING line (0800 327 646) is manned from 0930 am. Federated Farmers asks for the assistance of the media in ensuring 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) is given prominence. It will also receive a detailed handover from Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president, Neil Stott.
Federated Farmers Canterbury Field Officer:
Federated Farmers Field Officers, Vicky O'Connor and Mark Burnside, are making contact with members and non-members in North Canterbury. They are additional resource available to coordinate with the 0800 327 646 freephone number. Vicky O'Connor can be contacted on 027 432 0218 and Mark Burnside on 027 442 3355.
Helping out our urban cousins:
While farmers in North Canterbury are still coming to grips with this natural disaster, Federated Farmers with Fonterra arranged for three milk tankers to deliver 78,000 litres of fresh water to Addington Raceway, Lynwood High School and Burnside High School.
Federated Farmers has spoken to Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker and offered whatever practical support we can. With the devastation knocking out electricity, sewage and water, our city cousins are in a tough spot. Farmers feel for the devastating situation our city cousins are in and will do whatever we can to help Christchurch get back its feet
Federated Farmers has made further contact with Civil Defence to see what assistance the urban centres may need. Initial feedback is that Civil Defence has matters in hand but if you are prepared to offer assistance to the urban centres, please call 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).
Electricity on the Orion network:
All network linesman recommenced work at daylight and thirty hours after the earthquake hit, Orion has restored power to more than 90 percent of its customers. By midday, it aims to have 95 percent of customers back on across our entire network.
It will be the end of the day before it can give a more accurate estimate of when remaining power supplies will be restored. One of the reasons for the delays in some areas is that it has to thoroughly check its network to ensure further damage won't be caused when its turns the power back on. It may be two-three days before power can be restored to some customers. In extreme cases, where a single home or business is still without power in an area where power has otherwise been restored, it may take four or five days.
Orion staff and contractors are currently working across the network, with a particular focus in:
• the urban areas of Avonside, Brighton and Halswell
• the rural areas of Highfield, Greendale and Brookside.
Winds are starting to rise in the area and this may curtail work later in the day. Federated Farmers appreciates the effort of Orion to get the power back on, in what are exceptional circumstances.
Grains update:
The response of grains and seeds farmers to the emergency is humbling. As of 0730 this morning, 31 farmers have offered surplus silo capacity to those needing it with a grains vac on stand-by. The grains and seeds section worked hard into the evening ahead of the expected change in weather. Federated Farmers wishes to advise publicly, that any farmer with damaged silos needing to secure storage can contact 0800 327 646. For further advice please contact either Murray Rowlands on 027 242 9542 or David Clark 027 495 5202.
Generators:
Federated Farmers now has a number of offers for generators and appreciates the generosity of those offering. The Dairy Industry Group reports that every cowshed in North Canterbury is now functioning with power, one way or another. Other farmers needing generators can call 0800 327 646.
Stock water:
Aside from electricity, there is a growing issue with stock water that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is aware of. If you need or can offer assistance to fellow farmers with stock water please call 0800 327 646.
Dairy update:
The Dairy Industry Group reports that every cowshed in North Canterbury is now functioning with power, one way or another. MAF, as of last evening, assessed six rotary sheds were out of commission but arrangements have been made to milk affected herds. While milking now seems underway, DairyNZ advice is that cows can go without being milked for up to four days without a noticeable effect on subsequent production, as long as they're given the same amount of feed as they would be if they were being milked.
DairyNZ‘s acting regional leader for Canterbury, Simon Sankey is available on 021 228 3446. Federated Farmers North Canterbury dairy chairperson, Kieran Stone, is available to offer advice on 027 558 8917 as well as Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson, Willy Leferink, on 03 307 2666.
MetService weather warning:
The Metservice has a weather warning for the Canterbury plains of northwesterlies reaching 65 km/h in exposed places, with gusts of 130 km/h - between 9am Sunday and 6am Monday. Farmers are advised to check for any loose material and are reminded the high winds may cause further damage to already compromised structures. For more information click here or dial MetPhone FarmInfo on 0900 998 25 (calls cost $2.00).
Reporting damage:
If you do have damage, please make contact with the EQC on 0800 326 243 and take photographs of damaged property. If you consider any damage to be potentially life threatening, dial 111.
If you can offer assistance or need assistance, please contact:
0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING)
For contacts in North Canterbury:
Neil Stott
Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president
Phone: 03 318 8577
Mobile: 027 355 4636
Murray Rowlands
Federated Farmers North Canterbury grain and seeds chairperson
Mobile: 027 242 9542
Kieran Stone
Federated Farmers North Canterbury dairy chairperson
Mobile: 027 558 8917
Simon Sankey
DairyNZ acting regional leader for Canterbury
Mobile: 021 228 3446
Dugald McLean
Federated Farmers North Canterbury Meat & Fibre chairperson
Phone: 03 313 5442
Wider Federated Farmers contacts:
Don Nicolson
Federated Farmers President
Phone: 03 216 7405
Mobile: 027 226 6331
Conor English
Federated Farmers Chief Executive
Mobile: 027 441 0786
David Rose
Federated Farmers Adverse Events spokesperson
Phone: 03 235 2619
Mobile: 027 414 2573
Willy Leferink
Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson
Phone: 03 307 2666
Mobile: 021 796 037
David Clark
Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury grain and seeds chairperson
Phone: 03 303 6132
Mobile: 027 495 5202
Jeanette Maxwell
Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre vice-chairperson
Phone: 03 302 8860
Mobile: 027 357 4464
