Farmers unite as floods subside

By LIAM DAMM primary industries editor

The great clean-up has begun. As waters from the once-in-a-lifetime floods in the lower North Island subside, farming communities are working together to minimise the suffering of those worst affected.

Federated Farmers vice-president Charlie Pedersen says the key thing is getting pasture back on the land as quickly as possible.

Pedersen, who farms in the Manawatu, was in the thick of the drama last week.

"As soon as the flood waters have gone the farms need to be re-seeded," he said. "That's generally done by air, otherwise it's a sludgy mess."

In most cases, machinery cannot be used until the ground has dried out, but by then the best growing conditions are gone.

"So you're better to have the grass growing in the sludgy composty mix as it dries out," he said.

The direct cost of sowing the seed should not be horrendous, but Pedersen said what would really hurt farmers was lost time.

Many farmers will be unable to feed their stock for up to six weeks. That means they will also be unable to cash in on the last part of the dairy season.

Thousands of cows are being evacuated from the region, and Pedersen said offers of help with grazing and milking had been fantastic.

"They've co-ordinated the transport and cows to go away on a bit of a holiday," he said. "It's a great time to be part of the agricultural community."

The response to requests for grazing land has been overwhelming, but feed is still needed for animals shifted to escape flooding in the lower half of the North Island, say Dairy Farmers of New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat and Fibre Producers Council.

DFNZ president Kevin Wooding and NZMFP president Ian Corney say there have now been enough offers of land.

But farms which have taken animals from flooded areas are now over-stocked.

That means they have too many animals and too little feed.

"So we still need farmers to donate either baleage [baled silage] or hay," Wooding said.

The farming community was rallying to the call for assistance, he said.

"This is typical of rural people. When the community is hit, others band together to help out."

Many flood victims will need moral and financial support for months.

Offers of food can be made through the email address: flooding@fedfarm.org.nz

The federation has set up a freephone line - 0800 335-663 - for farmers seeking help.

A Government helpline - 0800 779-997 - has been set up to provide information on Government services for people affected by the floods.

The rural business community is also helping out.

Ballance Agri-nutrients - the farmer-owned fertiliser co-operative - is co-ordinating with Federated Farmers and has agreed to cover the cost of transporting donated food, up to $30,000.

Wrightson has pledged $150,000 worth of goods, including fencing materials, to help relief efforts.

Westpac will offer farmers unsecured, six-month, payment-free loans at a discounted rate of 6.75 per cent. Farmers will be able to receive up to $50,000 with no interest or principal payments until September.

General donations from the public can be made to Federated Farmers Adverse Events Trust through any branch of the National Bank.