North Canterbury Farmers praised for livestock welfare

North Canterbury Farmers praised for livestock welfare

Source: Federated Farmers

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Wednesday June 28, 2016

North Canterbury farmers are being commended for the care of their livestock as the region has weathered an unprecedented 18-month drought.

Provincial President Lynda Murchison said North Canterbury farmers are custodians of the land and take their responsibilities to their livestock and the environment very seriously.

"Farmers are to be congratulated for an excellent performance during some very trying circumstances.

"Farmers have clearly put the welfare of their livestock above all other considerations."

Despite the length and severity of the drought, farmers were praised for their proactive and adaptable approach to managing the needs of their livestock and securing feed, off-farm grazing and destocking their farms.

Farmers have taken the lead in farming to drought conditions with great support from North Canterbury vet clinics, the Ministry for Primary Industries, North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and the North Canterbury Drought Committee working together to assist farmers who needed help to source feed.

"This result is a great example of what communities can do when everyone works together. The approach taken by MPI in this drought illustrates what can be achieved when regulators work with farmers.

"The drought has cost farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplementary feed, off-farm grazing, and lost income," predicts North Canterbury Meat and Fibre Chairman Dan Hodgen.

"The drought isn’t over yet. While patchy rain has come in May and June it has arrived too late for substantial pasture growth before spring."

There will be challenging recovery costs for farmers when the drought breaks; includingthe costs of re-sowing pasture and restocking.

"While we are all looking forward to the day when it rains properly again, substantial rainfall will only be the start of recovery" says Mr Hodgen.

ENDS

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