Morale being tested, but farmers you are not on your own
"Sometimes you just need to know that the rest of the country knows what you’re going through."
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The Government has provided an additional $50,000 for farmers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging weather conditions have been classified a “medium-scale adverse event”.
Federated Farmers has welcomed the announcement of extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago.
Up to $50,000 in additional Government support is being provided for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event.
It comes on top of an extra $250,000 announced for rural support trusts nationwide in June.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick said the Government’s announcement meant a lot to farmers on the ground.
"It’s so helpful just to know we’re being thought of - that’s huge for morale.
"Sometimes you just need to know that the rest of the country knows what you’re going through."
Herrick said the extra $50,000 would enable the Rural Support Trust to continue helping farmers through trying times.
“At the end of the day, it’s not so much financial support that farmers need right now - it’s mental health support, and that’s what Rural Support Trust are there for.
“Once the water goes down and things dry out a bit, that’s when farmers will really need the help. That’s when things will hit home.”
Federated Farmers has been working closely with other agencies and was monitoring the situation in Otago and Southland on Friday.
It encouraged any farmers who need help to contact Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254, Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646, their milk supply companies, DairyNZ and/or Beef + Lamb.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds said she was pleased that an extra $50,000 in Government support was being made available for farmers in Southland and parts of Otago.
“I think it’s significant that the Government has recognised that things are tough for local farmers – and that help has been provided
“For many, it's not so much about the money, as it is the acknowledgement of the difficulties that so many of our local farmers are facing.
“I have been concerned about the situation in Southland for weeks now and I have been providing support through my office where needed.
“Local farmers and their families have shared their struggles with me, with the relentless wet weather taking a toll on morale.
“According to weather experts, last month was the wettest September since records began in the 1970s. This really underscores just how unusual and severe these conditions have been.
“To make matters worse, farmers have been calving and lambing in recent weeks, a busy and stressful time even in favourable weather.
“Of course the torrential rain over the past 24 hours has only worsened flooding on some local farmland.
“I live on a farm in Southland myself and I know how disheartening it can be to navigate these challenging conditions.
“Please take the support that’s on offer – keep talking to and looking out for each other - and try and maintain hope that better days lie ahead.”
Simmonds said the local situation would continue to be assessed, with decisions on whether further support was needed once the full extent of the damage from the current weather events became clearer.