Farmers flock to Ruataniwha meeting

Farmers flock to Ruataniwha meeting

IrrigationNZ says it is heartened by the support from Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers who attended it’s ‘It’s Now or Never’ Ruataniwha meeting last night, jointly hosted with Federated Farmers in Waipawa, Hawke’s Bay.

Over 250 turned up to hear the ‘real life’ scenarios presented by South Island farmers with experience of irrigation development, says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis.

“We had farmers from Canterbury and Otago breaking down how they make irrigation pay and what it’s done for their farming operations. They weren’t large scale dairy farmers either. Rab McDowell and Nick Webster showed how sheep finishing, beef, cropping and speciality seed, alongside dairy support operations can all benefit from reliable irrigation. Local irrigators, Arthur Rowlands and Hugh Ritchie also spoke on how and why they would make it work for them.”

“The feedback we’ve had is that it’s opened up new possibilities and thought processes for those considering Ruataniwha water. That’s a great thing as we wanted the evening to be all about information-sharing from those who have comparable priced models and have been there and done it. Theoretical economics being spouted by detractors of the dam just can’t compete with the reality. It was noticeable how quiet the naysayers were during the evening!”

IrrigationNZ and Federated Farmers will now continue to rally the Hawke’s Bay farming community in the uptake of water.

“Based on last night’s support the dam’s definitely over the line. It’s now how we push on and move to 60% plus. If we do this it makes the design of the distribution system far more cost effective.”

The ‘It’s Now or Never’ Ruataniwha meeting was supported by Westpac and FMG Rural Insurance.

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