increase font size
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says he is pleased with the way New Zealanders have rallied to help drought-affected communities, but challenging times still remain ahead.
"Scattered rain is forecast over the next week which will be welcomed, but on its own it won't be enough to break the drought conditions," he says. "We still need plenty more rain to help grass growth before the colder weather settles in.
"However it's encouraging to see a range of support available from not just the Government but also businesses and communities.
"Federated Farmers have run a series of 'farming in drought' field days and have been organising shipments of feed from the South Island to the North which have been gratefully received.
"Fonterra have announced they will be increasing their milksolids payout and earlier advance payments will be welcomed. This means early cashflow of around $100,000 for the average farmer, which will help with extra feed costs created by the drought.
"It's also pleasing that IRD have offered flexibility in the timing of tax payments, and many banks are offering special packages to help those affected by the drought.
"Many rural people can be reluctant to ask for help, but I would urge farmers to make use of the good advice and support available from their local Rural Support Trusts. These organisations now have increased funding from the Government to help their local communities.
"This is really important for those in regions like the West Coast who aren't used to dealing with such dry conditions. I will be visiting the Coast on Wednesday to see how they are coping.
"I would also urge lifestyle block owners to seek advice or attend field days if they are not used to dealing with these conditions," says Guy.
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.
The Government has announced it will pause key parts of Waikato Plan Change 1 (PC1) in a decision that is set to give Waikato farmers a reprieve from new consenting and farm-planning requirements while the wider resource management system is overhauled.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities Party, labelled by some as the 'LinkedIn Greens' for their corporate spin on Green-esque 'tax the rich' policies.
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.
Testing confirms H5 bird flu in a single northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa, says Dr Mary van Andel, the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Chief Veterinary Officer.
"What's for dinner?" may sound like a simple question, but for many Kiwi parents, answering it has become a job in itself.
Fifty Eight years ago, on the 16th of August 1968, August Claas, the founder of the harvesting company and father of Helmut Claas, personally presented a Claas Senator combine harvester to Scottish farmer John Steven.
New Zealand consumers are paying more for beef mince than ever before, with the average retail price now sitting above $24 per kilogram, according to Rabobank.
State farmer Pamu has delivered its strongest operating result on record.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
