Support grows as dry days continue

Concern is growing for young Taranaki sharemilkers and contract milkers as worsening dry conditions cut their incomes.

Parts of coastal Taranaki have not had rain since Labour weekend.

‘‘It’s extremely worrying. We don’t usually see conditions like this until late February,’’ said Taranaki Rural Support Trust chair Mike Green. The lack of rain has cut grass growth, leading dairy farmers to reduce the number of times they milk their cows each day.

‘‘I had about 30 farmers attend a recent discussion group in Okato. Only one was still milking twice a day,’’ said DairyNZ consulting officer Michelle Taylor.

‘‘It was a similar story in Pihama/Te Kiri. Every farmer in that group had either moved to 16-hour or once-a-day milking.’’

Some graziers have run out of feed, meaning farmers have the added pressure of finding a new home for their young stock.

About 30 people from Federated Farmers, Taranaki Rural Support Trust, DairyNZ, Fonterra, Taranaki Veterinary Centre, NZ Young Farmers, banks and the meat processing sector met in Inglewood on Tuesday to discuss support measures.

‘‘In times like this, it’s vital for people’s welfare that they get off farm,’’ Green said.

A number of free social events, like BBQs and children’s entertainment are planned from Okato to Waverley during January.

Taranaki Veterinary Centre is also running a hunting and fishing competition between January 12-19.

DairyNZ will be using its first round of farmer discussion groups after the holiday break to ramp up its support and advice to farmers.

Farm owners are being urged to talk with their young lower order sharemilkers and contract milkers who will struggle financially if herds are dried off early.

❚ For further details contact: Mike Green at the Taranaki Rural Support Trust on 0272 425 095