Feed planning service flyer

MPI and partner agencies DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, AgFirst and Federated Farmers are providing remote feed planning support to farmers.

How it works

This service is based on level of need and operates on three levels:

1. In the first instance, we’ll work out how much feed you need. A call to an industry or levy body will get you a free stock take assessment of your feed planning needs.

2. In the second instance, where it’s required, we can offer more advice and practical support. An advisor will help you understand what needs to be done and how you can go about it.

3. Finally, we can also refer you to someone who can offer more in-depth support. We can refer you to a farm systems consultant, who can provide help over the phone or visit if it is a serious animal welfare issue. Please note this level 3 support is not free.

Please call one of these toll-free numbers:

Before severe rain

· Keep an eye on weather reports and enact your plans for moving stock and supplementary feed to higher ground if needed.

· Clear gutters and drains where possible

· Have to hand a smartphone, a charger for the car, a torch, and a battery-powered radio

· Check your insurance cover details

During a flood or storm

· Keep an eye on https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ and your regional council websites/facebook or radio station

· The safety of you, your family, and workers comes first.

· Move stock to safety, shelter and water and make sure they can't wander. Are the electric fences working?

· Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities as it can help prevent damage to your home or community. Unplug small appliances to avoid damage from power surges.

· Do not attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters unless essential.

· Check power and phones. Report outages.

· Check dogs, poultry and pets.

· Check on neighbours - do they need help or can they help you?

· Check buildings at risk, feed stacks. · Use generators if necessary to keep pumps, refrigeration, electric fences and household appliances running. Flood pumps may need attention. 

Further information:

https://www.dairynz.co.nz/business/adverse-events/flood/

https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/topics/flooding

MPI Animal welfare 

https://www.facebook.com/centraltaranakisafecommunitytrust/videos/2296467993701776/

John Shackleton events in Stratford yesterday encouraged the audience to consider mindfulness (it's not scary) and breathing meditations to enable thoughts to be current and now. Our wiring needs to be changed so we stop thinking about things we have NO CONTROL over such as guilt over past events or anxiety about the future. After 21 days you will notice a big improvement in wellbeing. 

After a flood or storm

* Continue to listen to your local radio station for civil defence instructions.

* Help others if you can, especially people who may require special assistance.

* Throw away food and water that has been contaminated by floodwater.

* Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated. 

* If a boil water notice is in place, follow steps to sterilize dairy cleaning equipment

* Ensure stock and domestic animals have food, water, and shelter where necessary, and are secure. Ensure that all stock injuries are promptly attended too, after human needs are meet.

* Look for and report broken utility lines. Treat all lines as live.

* If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes. Lodge insurance claims as soon as possible.

* Assess damage to water supply and reticulation systems. Which troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?

* Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts and fences. What clearing away of flood debris is needed?

* Assess damage to pastures, the depth and type of silt.

* Assess available non-flooded pastures and other undamaged feed reserves.

* Use the resources available. Contact local council civil defence flood relief co-ordinator, industry groups, Federated Farmers, Rural Support Trusts, Rural Women NZ, or other resource providers. 

* Please accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.

Dairy NZ advice for farmers without power:

• Cows can go several days without being milked provided they are well fed and watered
• When power returns, ensure cows are milked out completely
• For further advice;  www.dairynz.co.nz/farm/adverse-events/

Useful sites and numbers:

* Civil Defence website https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

* Your local Rural Support Trust to update your information or ask for help for you, a partner, family member, worker or neighbour: 0800 RURAL HELP (0800 787 254)  www.rural-support.org.nz

*Animal welfare https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/animal-welfare/animals-in-emergencies/

*Federated Farmers Feedline https://www.fedfarm.org.nz/FFPublic/Adverse_Events_Farmer_Support_and_Feedline.aspx

* Your local council website and facebook page

The NIWA drought index measures dry conditions across the country. Their hotspot watch helps identify areas that are getting dry each week.

Like all adverse events, a drought is classified as either localised, medium-scale or large-scale.

What farmers need to do now

Don’t hold out for rain as a reason to delay any decisions you need to make. Make plans and decisions in light of current conditions and warm temperatures driving high evapotranspiration. It will take significant rainfall to slow down or reverse the dry conditions. 

That it is so dry so early in the season may further limit your options, or create uncertainty, such as decisions on which animals to sell or cull.

In many locations stock feed in the form of hay and silage is lower than normal due to the wet winter and spring. You need to understand your local situation and factor these delays in your planning.

Tips from farmers who have managed their way through past dry spells:

•  Review the technical information from your industry bodies on managing in dry weather.
• Do a feed budget.
• Make a plan and set trigger points to make decisions or take action: Dates, stock condition, feed availability; Once a day milking, drying off, culling early.  Ensure relevant contract partners agree with the plan. When those points or times hit, enact your plan.
• Keep an eye on climate predictions and soil moisture levels, especially on your own farm as it can vary from your neighbours’. (NIWA is useful).
• Use water efficiently and plan for water restrictions. Check irrigation consents for any triggers that will require you to make changes to usage.
• Ensure bores are well maintained and make contingency plans in case supply fails.
• Look after your animals and regularly check their condition.
• Make decisions for slaughter well in advance and book space in time (since killing space may be in high demand in your area)
• Be vigilant on very hot days. Animals cannot be left for much time with no shade or access to water.
• Be aware of increased risk of fire and take precautions
• Talk to your bank, accountants and other advisors, seek their advice, and ask for help if you need it.        
• Your Rural Support Trust is here to help. If you need to get pointed in the right direction for advice or information, are concerned about a friend, a neighbour, a worker…. or just need a private chat, their services are free & confidential. Call 0800 RURAL HELP (0800 787 254) or visit www.rural-support.org.nz.

This document will give you some tips and tricks for mitigating the dry hot summer conditions.