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20 June 2020: Regular update for rural communities in NZ's 2020 drought.
Please share with farmers, growers, small block and hobby farmers, and rural professionals in your networks.
You can help
Many regions in NZ are facing feed shortages over the coming months.
Small block farmers, hobby farmers, and lifestylers, are among those most at risk of not having enough food for their animals. You can help them by pointing them in the direction of help and advice.
1. Send this update to your email contacts
2. Post this update on your facebook page
3. Print out and share this flyer: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/40409-2020-feed-shortages-you-can-get-through-final-070520-pdf
4. Talk to your farming neighbours about the free feed planning service.
NIWA's Seasonal climate outlook June - August
Outlook Summary key points:
- The long-standing climate drivers that have contributed to dryness over much of New Zealand are expected to influence our weather for at least the first half of the winter season.
- Rainfall is most likely to be below normal in the east of both islands, near normal in the west and north of the South Island, and about equally likely to be near normal or below normal in the north and west of the North Island.
- Climate drivers may evolve late in winter or during spring with the potential for an Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event and oceanic La Niña conditions, which could cause a change in temperature and rainfall patterns.
- Although more westerly winds than normal are expected, the aforementioned change in climate drivers could lead to periodic easterly quarter winds, particularly later in the winter season.
- June – August 2020 air pressure is forecast to be higher than normal to the north of, and sometimes over New Zealand. During periods of high pressure, especially during June, cold, frosty mornings are likely in typically colder locations.
- As a whole, air temperatures are most likely to be above average in the east of the South Island and about equally likely to be near average or above average in all other regions.
More here: https://niwa.co.nz/climate/seasonal-climate-outlook/seasonal-climate-outlook-june-august-2020
Free feed planning
A service for farmers, lifestylers, hobby farmers...
Talk to feed planning experts now:
- 0800 BEEFLAMB
(0800 23 33 52) - 0800 4 DairyNZ
0800 43 24 79 69)
And with your plan done, you can use the feed coordination service:
I Have Feed to Sell or to Donate
You can also buy and sell feed directly here: Feed Noticeboard - AgriHQ
Finding feed
for farmers in need
Sharon Cousins, of Balclutha, is one of four temporary feed co-ordinators appointed by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Ms Cousins covers the Otago and Southland area while Tammy Johnson, who is based at DairyNZ, Lincoln, is the South Island feed co-ordinator. Two others are based in the North Island.
The feed service is an initiative set up by the Feed Working Group, an MPI and industry collaboration to manage the impacts of drought and Covid-19.
Q. What is your role?
Feed co-ordinators have been appointed to help connect farmers with available feed sources.
They are co-ordinating offers and requests in each region, working with the primary sector groups and trusts.
Rural advisory groups and trusts are working in each area on distributing feed to where it is most needed as it differs region by region and to make sure people get help before they have any animal welfare issues.
It complements the free feed planning service.
Q. What sort of response have you had from local farmers so far?
Generally, they just need a bit of direction on where to source feed.
We can help put them in touch with local Rural Support Trust people for extra support.
Many farmers are responding by sending their extra feed to those in areas with little feed.
It’s remarkable how the rural community does not need to wait for instructions and just get on and help each other and we support that.
Q. Does the role cover just winter feed or are you looking at drought situations as well (for Otago-Southland)?
Feed is our priority no matter what.
Currently the greatest uptake of our service has been in Hawke’s Bay but we want farmers in Otago and Southland to know we are ready and willing to help them.
It does not matter if it is from drought or flood — we know there are feed shortages across the country and we are here to help.
To use this service, farmers need to have a feed budget for the next few months. Both farmers and small block stock owners can use it.
Call the free winter feed planning service to talk through your options:
0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 23 33 52)
0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 43 24 79 69)
More here: https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/rural-people/finding-feed-farmers-need
Some top tips from Hawke's Bay Rural Advisory Group
Do you have a small holding?
Our aim is to help get your animals through this drought. There is a very good chance you will be unable to get more feed as supplies are very short. Plan now to make sure you have enough feed for the coming months.
Assess your situation:
- How many animals are you feeding?
- How much feed do you have?
- How long will this last?
- Can you afford to buy enough feed?
You can use the free feed planning service to help with this.
Sell what you can:
Sell any animals that you can. It is more cost-effective to sell animals now than it is to buy in feed for them. If you wait too long, your stock may become unsaleable.
Treat your stock for parasites – worms and lice.
If you have questions about what and how to feed your animals, talk to your veterinarian or feed supplier.
Do you have a horse?
Horses need a lot of feed and the current drought has meant many horses are not getting enough to eat, or are being offered for rehoming.
What to think about when feeding your horse:
- Horses are herbivores and their digestive systems are designed to eat small amounts of fibrous food at regular intervals. Many small feeds are better than one large feed.
- A horse needs one-to-two per cent of its body weight in roughage each day, for example, a 500kg horse needs 5-to-10kg per day, which equates to half a conventional bale of hay each day.
- If you have to change your horse’s diet, do it gradually: a sudden change can cause serious problems.
- If a hungry horse is grazing on scant pasture, its more likely to eat any toxic weeds that might be growing.
- The more you work your horse, the more feed it will need.
- A cold horse will need extra feed to keep itself warm so cover your horse in bad weather.
Never feed horses products that are made for cattle or other ruminants.
Making informed decisions for stock welfare.
Drought and the effects of COVID-19 restrictions have created feed pressure for farmers in many regions. There are a range of options available to work through these issues and maintain the welfare of your stock. While it should always be a last resort, there may be a need to undertake on-farm culling. However before you consider on-farm culling, think about the following:
• If you normally cull stock through meat processors, be aware processing capacity may be limited this year – you may have stock on-farm longer than usual.
• Complete a plan for feeding your stock over winter and into the spring.
• Order supplementary feed now while some is available.
• Book stock needing to be processed well in advance. Ask your processor’s agent about options.
• Ask for help and advice
• Contact a veterinarian or other rural professional. They may be able to help you develop a feed plan or help you find feed or resources for your animals.
Winter Grazing: Early Intervention
Winter crops are gradually being opened up to stock around the region and although the weather has been kind so far, we all know that winter will arrive before long.
An early intervention process has been established by industry so that anybody to register a concern that they have about winter grazing at a specific location, for follow-up up by industry.
Concerns can be raised by filling in a simple form here, or by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).
Best Practice Tools
Levy bodies Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ have some great tools for best practice winter grazing. If you do need additional help to get it right, do not hesitate to reach out to them for advice and support.
DairyNZ's online resources can be found here,
Beef + Lamb's online resource ten top tips can be found here.
Waikato RST webinar replays
Did you miss this stonking series?
Have a browse here and catch up on some great drought recovery advice - technical, financial and wellbeing all covered.
Don't tough it out alone
Help is available: whether your challenge is finance, farming advice, health... try chatting with your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP) www.rural-support.org.nz
You might want to check in about yourself, a friend, a neighbour or employee. Their services are free and confidential.
Key contact information and support
Inland Revenue: 0800 473 566
Work & Income: 0800 559 009
DAIRYNZ: 0800 4 324 7969
Beef + Lamb NZ: 0800 733 466
HortNZ: 0508 467 869
Fonterra: 0800 656 568
Rural Women NZ 0800 256 467
Federated Farmers: 0800 327 646
Farmstrong: www.farmstrong.co.nz
Let's talk: text or call free 1737
Youthline: www.youthline.co.nz or call 0800 376 633
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
MPI adverse events: www.MPI.govt.nz/drought
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