increase font size
INSURANCE CLAIMS persist in Taranaki after two major storms hit the province in three weeks. The first extensively damaged dairy farms around Waverley and Patea, and one last week hit farmers in the north of the province.
FMG chief executive Chris Black told Dairy News that 1200 claims have been lodged as of last week and they keep coming. Staff have visited about 600 clients to assess damage. Some rebuilding is beginning but much clean-up work remains to be done, especially fallen shelter belts that have blocked tracks and damaged fences.
The clean-up of trees will take heavy machinery and time, Black says. "There's also quite a bit of corrugated iron in paddocks."
He says FMG is getting claims from all around the North Island because of the floods and high winds of the past week – from Northland, Wairarapa, East Coast and Waikato.
"Most of this is for farm buildings and dwellings damaged by the wind rather than flooding."
Meanwhile Federated Farmers and DairyNZ, trying to help farmers when the big storm struck three weeks ago, say one of the biggest problems was communications when the power was cut.
Craig McBeth, DairyNZ, says it was pointless referring people to their website, or telephoning them, because there was no power. In the end they had to rely on news media to relay their key messages.
Derek Gibson, Feds, says they had similar problems. But the storm has raised farmers' awareness of the need for contingency plans for such events. Small generators able to power pumps for watering stock are affordable to most farmers, he says. Not so large generators for running dairy sheds.
"It can cost up to $25,000 for a generator that will run all the infrastructure on a dairy farm. One to run just a shed would cost about $12,000."
McBeth and Gibson urge farmers to work with friends and neighbours to share equipment and plan to deal with major events, especially during the first day or so.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
The grass may be growing again in the drought-stricken coastal area of Taranaki, but the outlook for many farmers there is far from rosy.
Limping towards the end of the season is how Richard Walker describes the situation he's facing due to prolonged drought in coastal areas of Taranaki.
Only this season’s $10/kgMS bumper payout has saved some dairy farms along the Taranaki coast from absolute disaster due to the present drought – dubbed as one of the worst ever for some.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
