The chairman of Federated Farmers Dairy Section Andrew Hoggard says the Federation board and key elected members from the area and staff are holding twice daily conference calls to keep up-to-date with the situation. But like others, poor communication services are hampering the flow of information.
He says professional help will be needed to fix damaged rotary sheds and he’s not sure whether that help is readily available. Hoggard says it’s important that farmers are able to continue to milk their cows, even if the milk cannot be sent to a factory. He says if farmers can’t milk the cows they will naturally go dry and farmers will lose almost a season’s worth of production.
Hoggard says sheep and beef farmers will also be struggling with woolsheds, fences and stock water supplies damaged not to mention their own houses.
He says there have lots of offers of help and the Federation is in the process of finding out the full extent of damage and determining what sort of help is needed and when it is needed. Hoggard says they want to get a coordinated approach in place to help farmers so that no one misses out on whatever assistance they need.
He they will be setting up and 0800 number which people can call to offer help, but he says they also need to understand that because the situation is so fluid, it may take a little time to get back to people.
Rural News spoke to farmers in Emu Plain, Canterbury with damaged rotary dairy sheds.
