While South Island Dairy Development Committee executive director Ron Pellow didn’t want to play up the impacts the storm had on the farm, because many farmers were far worse off, losing power for 15 hours and missing one milking had a measureable and costly impact.
Historically LUDF has incurred little cost from power cuts, in part due to its proximity to a major substation.
In the environment after the earthquakes that mitigation factor appears less reliable and with the greater value of milk, the cost of not having power is significant.
Firstly there was the loss of a vat full of milk that went above temperature limits. Cost $4500.
Then there was the lost milking (milk not produced/not harvested). Cost $5000.
There’s the possibility of losing two cows to mastitis. Replacement cost $4000.
Treatment and withholding milk for a further four cows. Cost $1700.
Total = $15,200.
