"The current payout is below the cost of production on our property," Tracey said. "The lack of discretionary spend and on-farm cutbacks will inevitably flow into our towns and I can't stress enough the importance right now of supporting our local businesses."
The downturn in the industry has seen a Woodville dairy support company go under. Pete's Pump and Dairy Services was put into liquidation on August 19.
Chartered accountants Simon Dalton and Matthew Kemp were appointed joint liquidators and their first report states the company went into receivership owing $235,000, with the bulk of that, $221,000, to unsecured creditors.
Directors, Kathleen and Peter Boulton said due to a downturn in the industry the company's trading revenues were insufficient to service the debt levels. They sought professional advice before putting the firm into liquidation.
"There is certainly increased pressure out on the farm," Tracey said.
"Going out in the rain, working a 10-hour day and knowing you are losing money makes it tough.
"Rural Support, communities and farmers themselves are all working together to make it through calving and support each other.
"This is the time where farmers need to look after their personal health and listen to others who care about them.
"And while we haven't had Sky TV since the global financial crash, some of our neighbours did and we could always watch a test match somewhere. Now unfortunately the few who still have Sky for reception don't have the sports channel, so watching the Rugby World Cup could be a little challenging."
Tracey said rather than complaining, she and her husband count themselves lucky they have a roof over their heads and food on their table. "That puts us in the top 10 per cent of the world," she said.
For all dairy farmers throughout Tararua, meeting the compliance for their One Plan consents is another on-farm cost in tough times.
"The Mangatainoka catchment were due to come under One Plan consenting rules by July 1, this year," Tracey said.
"About 50 consents (at the end of July) have been completed in the water management zones in the Horizons region. The focus of the regional council has been to ensure the consents are correct and achievable rather than rushing the process.
"However, having experienced the process and with my own consent, I can say that it is stressful. But once complete your focus changes to moving forward.
"The difficulty going forward in such tight times is not the $920 consent fee but the $3000-$5000 required in consultancy in preparing the environmental farm plan required for a consent application."
But there are ways to be proactive when it comes to helping the farm budget.
"We received our Horizons rates account and, with cashflow being king, rather than paying in full we have contacted Horizons and moved to a monthly payment plan," Tracey said.
"We won't receive the three per cent discount but will avoid the 10 per cent late payment penalty. Currently we have opted to pay interest only on our bank mortgage and we will be taking up the Fonterra 50 cent support loan."
