Keeping ourselves well in tough times

There is no doubt the past 12 months or so have been tough for farming and its related industries. However, those of us who have been around long enough know that, unfortunately, farming has always been cyclical. Much like the climate, ups and downs in commodity prices are a reality in the agri sector.

While the dairy sector's struggles continue, there are bright spots in other sectors; some are very bright.

According to ASB rural economist Nathan Penny, agriculture as a whole remains strong, non-dairy sectors and horticulture performing well. Penny says beef prices remain excellent, and kiwifruit and wine exports are buoyant. Meanwhile, other sectors such as wool, pipfruit, venison and forestry are also faring well.

Penny admits that dairy and to a lesser degree lamb are both doing it tough. However, he and the ASB expect prices for these will lift and come back over time. Meanwhile, the ASB also expects short-term interest rates to fall over the next six months, helping to bring the NZ dollar lower this year.

As said often in this column, even given the current lull in commodity prices, farmers and contractors need to keep planning and farming for the year ahead. Crops will need to be sown, pastures renewed and sprayed, and supplementary feed made and stored away for the next inevitable dry spell.

One thing we know about rural contractors and farmers is that they are always looking after their machinery and gear, keeping it in top working condition so they can do the best job possible. But what about the most important asset in their business – themselves?

It is all very well for contractors to have their tractors and machines in great working order, but these are not much good, either to a business or family, if they are not taking care of themselves.

Too often we hear stories about those in the rural sector letting things get on top of them – not asking for help or reaching out for support. We need to change this mindset and let rural contractors and others in the rural community know that it is much better to get the necessary support and advice when they are not feeling well physically or mentally.

That's why Rural Contractors NZ believes it is important our organisation is a member of the Rural Health Alliance of NZ (RHANZ), along with Fed Farmers, Rural Women, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ and some rural councils. RCNZ is fully behind the main objective of RHANZ which is to bring a united voice from multiple rural sector organisations, to develop solutions and influence policy affecting the health and wellbeing of rural communities. Also our RCNZ chief executive Roger Parton is on the board of RHANZ.

RHANZ is now working with the Ministry of Health to get more training for health professionals, business networks and communities to tackle depression in rural communities. The extra training is funded by a $500,000 boost for mental health initiatives in rural NZ, announced by the Ministers of Health and Primary Industries at last year's Fieldays.

RHANZ is spending this money to co-ordinate the upskilling of rural health professionals, rural business networks and rural communities in suicide prevention strategies and increasing access to skilled healthcare in the regions of highest need.

To that end, RCNZ board member Helen Slattery and our executive officer Roger Parton will attend the National Rural Health Conference in Dunedin late March and early April. They will observe and speak into the rural health debate on behalf of rural contractors. We see our involvement with RHANZ as important to our contribution to the rural community.