- Hon Mark Patterson
The government is boosting support for farmers impacted by the ongoing drought in North Canterbury, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced today.
A lack of rain has left farms short of feed, with pasture and crops failing to grow.
"Prolonged dry weather and challenging financial conditions have made circumstances extremely tough for farmers in the Hurunui District," Mr Patterson says.
Many farmers have been using good management practices, such as reducing livestock numbers, to get through the drought. As lambing and calving gets underway, extra one-off support is needed.
During his visit to affected farms, Mr Patterson announced "The government, is providing $20,000, with the Farmers Adverse Events Trust, Veterinary Association and Boehringer Ingelheim contributing an additional $18,000, to deliver specialist veterinary support to drought-affected farmers in the Hurunui District."
"A further $30,000 contribution will go to the Hurunui Mayoral Fund to ensure targeted assistance is available to those farmers identified the most critical in need."
The latest support measures come on top of funding provided to the region earlier this year.
"In March, extremely dry weather conditions were classified a medium-scale adverse event across multiple regions. That classification unlocked around $170,000 in extra funding for Rural Support Trusts to provide early on-the-ground support for affected farmers,' Mr Patterson says.
"Tax relief is available through the Income Equalisation Scheme, which is designed to help with on farm cashflow."
"The Ministry for Primary Industries', On Farm Support service will continue to work closely with farmers and growers to determine where support is required."
Mr Patterson encouraged farmers across the district who need support, to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
Editor's notes:
- The current conditions are not the fault of farmers. Many farmers in Hurunui have used good management practices, such as reducing livestock numbers, to cope as best they can. The dry conditions have continued into the cold winter months. A lack of rain has left farms short of feed, with pasture and crops failing to grow.
- NIWA's New Zealand Drought Indicator Index shows that the dry experienced in many regions throughout autumn and into winter is more pronounced in the Hurunui District.
- MPI's On Farm Support service is working with farmers, vets, the Rural Support Trust, Hurunui District Council, and the Hurunui Adverse Events Committee, which includes sector groups, to determine the best way to target the funding.
- Assistance includes working with farmers on feed supply management.
- Groups and organisations considering support for the primary sector in the district are encouraged to think about donating to the Hurunui Mayoral Fund.
