Taranaki farmers face uncertain outlook despite grass growth after drought
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.
Daniel Absolom, from Focus Genetics is travelling from Hawke's Bay with a ute load of others to attend Thursday's Drought at Tui Brewery and says it will be an opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues and have a good time.
"This will provide a much needed tonic for drought affected farmers and an opportunity for them to get off the land for a few hours and catch up with their mates," Absolom says. "It's been an incredibly tough year thus far and I'm a firm believer in a problem shared is a problem halved."
Local, regional and national businesses have collectively donated more than $78,000 to contribute to Thursday's Drought Shout while an additional $34,000 worth of in-kind support has been gifted. This includes a truck of silage, a water tank, $1500 worth of slug bait for crops, a Stihl Chainsaw, a cricket bat signed by the Black Caps, a Pure Pleasure Package escape at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park in Masterton and Mars Bars.
Sam Orsborn, a director at agricultural consultancy Baker & Associates and one of the Drought Shout's organisers says; "we are overwhelmed but not surprised as it reinforces how our business community is all in this battle together."
He says over 1000 farmers had registered their interest to date on the www.bakerag.co.nz website but he is expecting registrations to come in thick and fast this week.
Drought Shout 2013 begins at 12pm on Thursday and will see a "carnival of entertainment" provided for thirsty farmers including a helicopter beer drop, a topdressing aeroplane display, a stock-whip cracking competition, a mechanical bull-riding competition, giveaways, barbecues and, of course, free cold Tui.
This week's initiative follows the successful Drought Shout held at Tui Brewery in 2008, which attracted a crowd of 2000 thirsty farmers, all of whom soaked up the goodwill extended by the sponsors.
Farmers wanting to attend the Drought Shout can visit www.bakerag.co.nz for more information, including details of transport options and registrations.
When: Thursday, April 11, 2013.
12noon – 5.30pm
Where: Tui Brewery: Mangatainoka
Who: For the farmers from around the country - who are affected by the dry and lack of rain
Why: Because you deserve a break, something to get you off the farm for the day and something apart from rain to look forward to!
What: Food and beer provided. Transport options available to and from Tui Brewery.
Details of this can be found on www.bakerag.co.nz
