Feed - Finding it, Moving it and Managing it
Feed planning before getting help from the feed coordinators – why
Feed planning is required before the feed coordinators connect you with any feed (to purchase or donated) to ensure you are making the most of that feed you purchase or receive, and ensure you have had the opportunity to talk to somebody about your plan.
We have had a lot of feedback that, 'farmers know what they need – they need feed', but as the North Island is facing a shortage of hay, silage and baleage, prices are high and it is hard to find. You may need to consider alternative feed options (considering feed that is more economically viable) or reducing capital stock numbers, and this conversation needs to happen with your levy body or a trusted consultant ahead of accessing a feed coordinator.
To reach out for Feed Planning support please call either beef + lamb (0800 233 352) or DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969)
If you do have feed for sale or want to purchase feed, please look at TradeMe or the Feed Noticeboard on AgriHQ
You can register for assistance finding feed with the feed coordinators here - note we do recommend trying your normal marketplace for feed first. Feed through this service is unlikely to be cheaper or better, rather it is designed to connect those people with feed if they cant find it through their normal marketplace. You can register before you have done your feed plan and they will assist you in reaching out to a levy body or consultant.
If you wish to register feed for donation (or for sale where you don't want to advertise it on TradeMe or AgriHQ, or through other marketplaces) please register it here
Receiving Donated Feed
If you are in a situation where you require donated feed, you will need to be known to Rural Support Trust. Donated feed is very limited and Rural Support Trust are in the best position to know the full picture of a farmers situation from the farmers and their animals welfare situation, their financial situation, and other issues that could be present. Please see the Looking After Yourself section for their contact information if you need to talk to them.
Donating or Selling Feed
If you are interested in donating feed or have feed like hay or baleage you want to sell to the drought affected farmers, you can register this here. The donation/offer of feed will be matched by the feed coordinators to someone if there is a suitable farmer to receive or purchase that feed.
All feed is being matched on a willing seller/donator, willing buyer basis. If feed is being donated or sold, we advise you allow the farmer receiving the feed to arrange the transport, so they cover that cost. In areas with mayoral funds, they may be able to claim some or all of that cost back.
Organising a Feed Drive
If you want to organise a feed drive, or you and a number of others want to donate a few bales each to make up a unit load, we recommend you drive this at a grass roots level. Offer one farm to run as a depot for the feed to be dropped off (try and stick to one feed type, it makes it easier to load for transport) and contact the feed coordinators about what you are doing. When you have a unit load together, a feed coordinator will be able to match this to a willing receiver who can arrange transport to collect it. Please be patient as all donated feed going through the feed coordinators must go through the Rural Support Trust to make sure the person receiving it is a deserving candidate.
Alternatively, if you have a friend or connection who has helped you out in some way in the past and you want to rally to support them directly, contact them about what you are doing for them and when you have enough together to transport, they can arrange that. Again, these farmers in areas with mayoral funds, may be able to claim some or all of that cost back.
Mayoral Funds
Mayoral Funds have been approved for the Hawkes Bay, Hauraki and Northland areas. The application must come from an affected farmer and at this stage the funds will only be assisting farmers with the transport costs associated with feed.
Hawkes Bay is taking applications, find more information on their drought hub page here
The process for Hauraki and Northland is still being established but keep good records of your transport costs and this will be announced in the coming weeks.
Financial Donations
After several enquiries from members who want to help but don’t know how, we have set up an account to collect donations that we will distribute to the Mayoral Funds in mid-June. This money will be tagged as “to assist farmers in the procurement of feed” to ensure it reaches farmers.
To donate:
Bank Account Name: Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Bank Account Number: 03-0306-0626460-002
Particulars: Your Name
Code: Drought
Reference: Your member number or phone number
Once you have donated, please email
[email protected] if you would like a receipt. Please include your name, your member number or phone number and the code word drought so they can easily find your donation