System check essential

IrrigationNZ says insurance companies and the Government deserve credit for fast-tracking crucial repairs.

IrrigationNZ says farmers should be careful when starting irrigation systems after recent storms- even if damage isn't obvious. Lightning strike has emerged as a secondary cause of problems after recent bad weather.

"Just because your centre pivot didn't blow over in the wind doesn't mean your system is okay," says IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis.

"We are now hearing reports of irrigation control systems fried by lightning strike, especially along the Canterbury foothills.

"Farmers need to check their infrastructure carefully before the season begins. Don't start your irrigator before you've undertaken appropriate safety checks.

"Irrigation system pre-season checks will be even more important this year as parts and labour will be in short supply due to the storm. Irrigators cannot afford for their irrigator to break down due to negligence as it will result in downtime.

"Basic checks like ensuring the pivot tracks are free from obstructions, tyre pressures are correct and so forth are a no-brainer."

A pre-season irrigation check list is available free of charge on IrrigationNZ's website, www.irrigationnz.co.nz, and printed, laminated copies to hang in your pump shed can be ordered for $10.

IrrigationNZ says insurance companies and the Government deserve credit for fast-tracking crucial repairs.

"The Government has been extremely helpful and potentially this will make it easier to bring in the irrigation specialists we need. Parts are on their way from Dubai, China and America and we now just need the manpower to get our machines up and running.

"The important thing is to accelerate this so the irrigation season isn't delayed any longer. IrrigationNZ will monitor the situation and provide information and key contacts that the industry can access."

The insurance industry has also risen to the challenge with a commitment to fast-track claims and get equipment up and running as soon as possible.

"Specialists from FMG Rural Insurance, which has the largest market share of irrigators, joined IrrigationNZ today on a tour of damaged machinery in Mid and South Canterbury.

"They've proposed some solutions to help settle claims efficiently and are moving quickly to assess what needs to be done," Curtis says.

FMG Rural Insurance has received more than 200 claims for irrigator damage totalling $6.5 million, says FMG Rural Insurance risk advice manager Matt Harvey, "and this number is expected to rise as more reports of damage come in".

More than 1200 claims, at an estimated cost of $11 million, have been made to the company for damage to farm buildings, machinery and vehicles following the storm.

An emerging issue concerns wind damage to irrigation systems installed on properties but yet to be made operative. IrrigationNZ has been made aware of a handful of farmers whose systems were badly damaged but were uninsured because the system wasn't up and running.

"There's only a few irrigators in this situation," Curtis says, "but it's an insurance issue that needs to be highlighted for the future."