There is nothing more disheartening than seeing local people, families, animals, homes and businesses suffering damage through no fault of their own. Natural disasters are in a league of their own.
For many of us, it is the first time facing up to such unexpected and immense challenges and knowing what to do with few resources can be difficult.
The rural community, especially farmers, should be lauded for the amazing, wholehearted support they have provided one another over this time.
The earthquake left farmers without power, marginal or no road access, damaged sheds, broken land, restricted water supply and stock that still needed feeding and milking.
Potentially the greatest challenge of all – being unable to communicate – has hampered the ability of farmers to reach out and for others to check in to see where help is needed.
This is where neighbours helping neighbours played a big part – literally checking over the fence to see where help could be provided.
Many dairy farmers with damaged milking sheds were able to use their neighbour’s dairy to milk the cows, a simple but invaluable gesture at a time when farmers are concerned for their herd’s welfare.
We have had many calls from farmers wanting to help other farmers.
Many offered accommodation, stock grazing, help with farm repairs and general support and labour to get farms back up and running.
It is times like these that the strength of the rural community really comes to the fore.
It has also been a time when the connectedness of the wider farming industry has shone through. Co-ordinating the immediate response effort by rural industry partners and prioritising what is needed where is no small task – again, a show of strength of the collective industry.
Two days after the initial earthquake, most of the 120-odd affected dairy farms were back milking in some form but many then had to dispose of milk where it couldn’t be collected because tankers had no access – a demoralising task for any dairy farmer.
There are implications for farmers managing out of an earthquake – not just in the few days following. Below is some advice to help North Canterbury farmers manage in the short and long-term following the quake.
Short-term priorities:
A general process is usually followed in a crisis – download the full Crisis Priority Checklist at www.dairynz.co.nz/earthquake and have it somewhere handy in case of a future emergency. It provides a simple process in a situation where stress can override usual practical thought.
Check on family and staff.
Establish who needs to be contacted and by whom.
Check stock: are they safe, do they have adequate water and feed supply and how long will both last?
Can stock be milked?
Are boundary fences intact?
Is power off? How long will it be off for? What is the priority once a generator is secured?
What building damage has occurred? What access is there to the farm/area?
Are the neighbours okay?
Medium-term priorities:
About a week in, often some semblance of order has been restored – the cows are being milked again, repairs are under way to damaged facilities and the initial shock has passed. Often, this is when a focus needs to be on people.
Is everyone managing? Look after your people – make sure everyone is getting adequate rest and is coping with the damage and aftershocks that will continue to have an impact.
People’s reactions to disasters can include confusion, disorientation, fear, sadness, guilt and anger. People can have trouble sleeping and concentrating, others might have distressing memories and images of the event.
Routines involving regular meals, rest and sleep, exercise, work and play help restore normality and maintain a healthy state of mind.
Hold regular staff meetings – they will help the team air any concerns or issues. Communicate priorities for the coming week and discuss onfarm health and safety hazards.
Animals get stressed too – they need to be kept safe, provided with ample food and water and treated with the consistent care and routine they usually enjoy.
Long-term priorities:
The old adage that prevention is better than cure can be applied to some, not all, scenarios that come out of a crisis. If nothing else, we all learn from every experience and might see opportunities for future management, should another crisis occur.
Following the earthquake:
Missed milkings can increase the likelihood of mastitis occurring – ongoing vigilance in identifying and managing mastitis will be required to get the herd back to square one.
Continue to feed stock well. This will help with their ongoing welfare and help get milk production back on track.
With system and facility repairs likely to be complete now, there is a chance to take lessons away and see where the same issues could be prevented in a future crisis.
MORE:
For more information on managing through an earthquake or adverse event visit www.dairynz.co.nz/adverseevents
