Silver Fern Farms moves manpower and stock feed

Silver Fern Farms moves manpower and stock feed in response to snow

In response to this week’s devastating snowfall in Southland, Silver Fern Farms has mobilised a series of practical inputs, resulting from analysis of supplier requests during recent days.

1) Up to 1200 bales of high-quality grass and lucerne haylage is being transported from the company’s Fairton processing plant farm to Southland today. - Cartage from Fairton is being provided free of charge by: Windslow Group, Ryall Bush, Rural Transport and Ellesmere Transport. - The haylage will be distributed by South Otago Transport, Perrin Transport, McLellan Freight and Titaroa Transport – also at no cost.

2) Labour, in the form of staff from the company’s Finegand processing plant, is being offered to affected farmers, to assist with picking up dead stock and other unexpected work created by the weather.

3) Silver Fern Farms Livestock Field Representatives are contacting suppliers in the worst-affected areas, to determine how we can help and where stock feed and labour are most needed.

4) Processing capacity will be increased to handle any de-stocking.

5) There is a community-organised bbq at Owaka tonight, that we are attending and supplying meat to. We will also be involved in a “Snow Shout” – at Tokonui in a fortnight – and no doubt there will be others.

6) Suppliers can phone our 0800 number – 0800 362 362 – if they want stock feed or labour during coming weeks.

Chief Executive Keith Cooper says that the company wants to do what it can to alleviate the pressure for its suppliers. “This is the second time this month that some of our suppliers have been faced with a natural event beyond their control. As a result of the Canterbury earthquake and supporting both suppliers and employees in that area, we are mindful of what matters at difficult times, like this.

“Consequently, we are doing what we can to help people through this rough period – and we know that stock feed, man power and a quiet gathering at the end of a big week are all practical measures that will make a difference.” Suppliers who would like to take up the offer of stock feed or labour should call Silver Fern Farms Supplier Services numer on 0800 362 362 – anytime over the next two weeks.

ENDS

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