increase font size
A new MPI report outlines the economic impacts to the primary sector from the heavy rain and flooding that affected the western North Island in June.
The total on-farm cost of the June storm affecting Taranaki and Horizons regions has been assessed at approximately $70 million with up to 800 rural properties affected.
MPI director of resource policy, David Wansbrough, says the greatest impact of the storm was on sheep and beef farms, due to landslides and damage to infrastructure.
Around 460 beef and sheep farms were affected with the on-farm economic impact estimated to total $57.6 million, says Wansbrough.
"Dairy farms were mainly impacted by silt from flooding, with an estimated on-farm economic impact of $6.4 million." he says.
Wansbrough also says damage to the horticultural sector with the on-farm crop losses are estimated to total $1.2 million.
"We know this is a stressful time for many in New Zealand's rural communities and many rural people can be reluctant to ask for help, but it is important for them to know that support is available. We encourage anyone in need of support or assistance to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 or visit www.rural-support.org.nz . Services are free and confidential."
Under the Primary Sector Recovery Policy the Government classified the storm as a medium-scale adverse event.
Funding has been made available to assist the rural farming community recover from the storm to:
• Support the activities of rural support trusts to provide coordination, advice and support.
• Contract a rural recovery coordinator.
• Build resilience for future storm events.
• Assist infrastructure repairs on severely impacted farms.
• Provide assistance for clean up through Enhanced Taskforce Green.
• Provide access to Rural Assistance Payments for those in extreme financial hardship.
Grants have also been made to regional councils for land management initiatives through the Hill Country Erosion Fund.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
An initiative by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to connect farmers with scientists is taking off judging by the response at recent regional field days.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg says she takes her hat off to all NZ growers for the hard yards they have put in over the last few years which have resulted in horticulture exports expected to reach the milestone of $8 billion this year.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
