More support for drought-affected North Canterbury farmers

Dan Hodgen’s farm in March.
photo: supply

North Canterbury farmers battling an ongoing drought have welcomed more support from the Government.

Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson visited Hurunui this morning and announced a $20,000 donation to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association and animal health company Boehringer Ingelheim will also donate an additional $18,000 to provide specialist veterinary support to drought-affected farmers in the Hurunui region.

Patterson said prolonged dry weather and dire financial conditions have made things extremely difficult for farmers in the region.

“Many farmers have been adopting good management practices, such as reducing livestock numbers, to get through the drought. With lambs and calves calving, additional one-off support is needed.”

The latest support measures are based on financial support Earlier this year, the region.

Hawarden sheep and cattle farmer Dan Hodgen, who also chairs the Hurunui Adverse Events Committee, is not one to be negative, but says things do get tough.

“Feed was very short and even at the end of winter it was still very dry and cover was still well below what we would have liked, so morale was low and people were starting to get a bit frustrated.”

He said the committee invited the minister to visit Hurunui.

“We’ve had some really good conversations and it’s good to point out that things are still tough and we need to be thinking ahead rather than chasing our tail and playing catch-up.

“We need a lot of rain in the spring to keep things in order because the rivers and water tables are dropping, if only the minister could arrange some rain.”

Hogan said the region had some rainfall in early August, with some farmers reporting 40-50mm, but it varied, with some farms receiving as little as 5mm.

“Farmers are busy with lambing at the moment, feed quality is poor and the ewes are so used to us grazing outside that as soon as you pull into the paddock they run in front of the car and drop the lambs, so grazing is difficult.”

Farmers need to care about their partners and keep the dialogue open, he said.

“We have an event at Foxdown Farm on September 6th, Ben Hurley will come and entertain us, we will have some lemonade and sandwiches and feel good to leave the farm.”