Friday, March 29, 2024

Farmers aim to feed the need

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An AgriHQ initiative started earlier this year is playing a key role providing options for farmers wanting to buy supplementary stock feed while donated balage and hay continue to be trucked into Hawke’s Bay.
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In February AgriHQ saw a growing demand for supplementary feed from farmers relying on various avenues to supply their needs.

To connect buyers with sellers it set up the AgriHQ Feed Noticeboard to let sellers listing what they have got, its cost, their location and contact details.

Commercial leader Steph Holloway says the online noticeboard proved popular popular from the start with it not uncommon for feed to be listed one day then gone the next.

Sellers from Northland to South Canterbury are offering everything from hay and feed grain to processed vegetable waste.

The sellers are contacted weekly to make sure listings are up to date.

It’s a resource being recommended by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Rural Support Trust staff working in regions like Hawke’s Bay.

Donated feed continues to be trucked into Hawke’s Bay with farmers from other regions following the example of the Rapa Feed Run, which has resulted in more than 1000 bales of feed donated by Wairarapa farmers being trucked north.

In the past week Manawatu farmers have joined in.

One Manawatu truck and trailer left for Hawke’s Bay carrying 39 bales of silage from 10 farmers with another 28 bales likely to follow, including 10 of lucerne and about 20 bales of hay.

On top of that Kiwitea bull stud Atahua Angus donated 40 large round bales of hay.

The stud’s Michelle Dalziell says the load is destined for farmers in the Puketapu area just west of Napier.

One of the stud’s bull clients from Taihape mentioned his father, who farms in the area, was in need of stock feed so they decided to help because it’s the right thing to do.

The hay will be shared among the client’s father and his neighbours.

Some rain but nowhere near enough has fallen in Hawke’s Bay in the past week and the feed shortage is still critical.

It’s a similar situation further north.

Waikato has had welcome rain in the past month but most of it missed Hauraki, Coromandel and South Auckland where pasture covers are very low.

Federated Farmers Hauraki-Coromandel president Kevin Robinson says the situation is serious.

“The drought is compounded by challenges with pests like crickets and slugs and we have just not been getting the rainfall we need.”

Farmers have fed a lot of supplementary feed over summer and many have eaten into or even used their entire winter reserves. 

Fortunately, pasture growth has generally been good for the rest of the region, enabling good recovery before winter for most but there will be challenges and risks in spring, Waikato Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup says.

“The feed situation remains tight for everyone. It is imperative everyone has a plan and continues to review their plan. Seek advice from your neighbour, farm adviser, accountant and bank.

“We will eventually come through the other side of the drought with the support of each other, our neighbours and our communities. 

“Our farmers and growers are going to be crucial to New Zealand’s recovery from the covid-19 outbreak. Please reach out for advice and support where you need.”

 

Laughter the best medicine

A live online comedy event on Tuesday will provide some humour for farmers.

At 7.30pm the Online Drought Shout will broadcast on a special edition of the Sarah’s Country show on the Farmers Weekly website and the Ballance Facebook page.

Hosted by Te Radar, the event is a move away from the usual Rural Support Trust drought shouts by going virtual to avoid breaking restrictions on social events.

The line-up of comedians includes Paul Ego, Justine Smith and Gary McCormick. And resilient farmer Doug Avery will share his experiences.

Ballance East Coast regional sales manager Hadyn Eade says running a comedy event is not something the farmer-owned co-op has tried before but it wants to give farmers a break from their day-to-day challenges.

“We can’t give them rain but we can help them have a laugh – laughter is such good medicine.”

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