OPINION: A 'perfect storm', but no rain.
As a former farmer myself, it is my view that the current conditions faced by Hawke's Bay farmers are the worst in 50 years. The drought is unrelenting, hay supplies have been exhausted in the North Island, 50 per cent of the region is under TB movement control, Covid-19 has dramatically slowed killing capacity and sale yards are closed. Some farms also have M. bovis.
Farmers who are used to operating with some isolation are now feeling doubly isolated. They are on their farms working long hours, stressing like their animals to find and supply food while being good husbands, wives, partners, parents, employers and friends. I have been through my share of droughts but none compares to this. It has gone on for too long and we are quickly moving into winter.
I was stunned this week when the government announced a package to help farmers with feed budgeting so they could learn for the future. What an insult to their collective and individual intelligence. So we are going to pay consultants, when what people need is feed and financial support. A novel idea would be to give the Hawke's Bay share of the money to the Hawke's Bay Rural Advisory Group which is doing a great job at this challenging time. Alternatively, give it to Poppy Renton to continue her amazing online work. As we can see she gets things done and does not mind calling people out, with over 2000 followers on her page.
Similarly, it is beyond comprehension that bureaucrats plough full speed ahead in the comfort of their own home and bubble on freshwater reforms, biodiversity strategies and ETS changes, all of which simply add a further handbrake on the productive agriculture economy. They should try walking in a dusty paddock followed by ewes looking for feed.