increase font size
The classification is on top of $20,000 in funding made available to the Top of the South Rural Support Trust last month to provide extra support.
Federated Farmers Marlborough Province says it welcomes the announcement yesterday that current dry weather in the top of the South Island would be classified as a medium-scale adverse event.
Yesterday, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said that after receiving an urgent update from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), he decided to classify drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event.
The announcement unlocks support for farmers, including the ability to defer tax payments or access money, if they have put it aside, under the Farm Income Equalisation Scheme.
The classification is on top of $20,000 in funding made available to the Top of the South Rural Support Trust last month to provide extra support.
“It is clear conditions are tough,” McClay says. “This decision will unlock further support for farmers and growers, including tax support.”
Federated Farmers Marlborough Province president Evan White says the announcement comes as a relief for local farmers.
“Even just having recognition of how extreme things have been will go some way to boosting morale – particularly in areas where they’ve been hit the hardest, like south of Blenheim,” White says.
Conditions are incredibly dry in the region and Blenheim has recorded its lowest rainfall for the last nine months in almost a century, causing a significant impact on the rural community.
“Creeks that have never dried up before have stopped flowing, everything has browned off, and 50-year-old native plantings are starting to die,” White says.
“Stock water is under real pressure as wells dry up,” he says. “Summer crops are failing, and farmers are having to chew into livestock feed set aside for winter.”
White says this is going to have a domino effect because farmers won’t see the usual autumn grass growth.
“Even if there was rain now, it’s debatable how much good it will do this late in the season,” he says.
The season has already proven challenging with low stock prices, especially for lamb, and inflation and interest rates hitting the sector hard.
“Sheep and beef farm profits are at a 30-year low – and then you factor in the drought impacts on top of that. It’s pretty tough,” White says.
“I’ve got some real concern about the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families,” he says. “There’s a lot of pressure starting to build.”
Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…
