Help sought for flood-hit farmers

Flooded farmland on the Taieri at the weekend. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

The Otago Regional Council is calling on any farmers in the wider region able to offer support to those affected by the weekend's deluge to contact Federated Farmers.

Dozens of properties on the Taieri Plains remain evacuated with paddocks and pastures inundated with water from a wild storm that began on Friday afternoon.

Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said on Sunday it would be a difficult road ahead for farmers affected by the downpour and they would need assistance from the wider rural community.

"Federated Farmers is seeking assistance with feed and grazing,'' he said.

"Those land holders in the surround districts that have food and assistance available please contact the 0800 number for Federated Farmers.

"It's a critical time of year - particularly for the dairy sector that are only one, two or three weeks away from calving.''

Mr Woodhead also called on people feeling overwhelmed to contact the Otago Rural Support Trust for assistance.

Farmers who remained evacuated from their properties should follow the advice of authorities, he said.

"We know people that have been evacuated are anxious to get back to their homes as soon as they can, but please follow the advice we give around that."

Who to contact

• Federated Farmers 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
• Otago Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
• www.rural-support.org.nz.