Canterbury Earthquake (Federated Farmers Sunday Morning Update)

Can you provide assistance or need assistance?

0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) operative from 0930 am:

The Federation’s 0800 FARMING line (0800 327 646) is manned from 0930 am this morning. Federated Farmers asks for the assistance of the media in ensuring 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) is given prominence. It will also receive a detailed handover from Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president, Neil Stott.

Federated Farmers Canterbury Field Officer: Federated Farmers Canterbury Field Officer, Vicky O’Connor, is making contact with members and non-members in North Canterbury. She is an additional resource available to coordinate with the 0800 327 646 freephone number. Vicky O’Connor can be contacted on 027 432 0218.

Helping out our urban centres: While farmers in North Canterbury are still coming to grips with this natural disaster, Federated Farmers with Fonterra Cooperative Group, arranged for three milk tankers to deliver 78,000 litres of fresh water to Addington Raceway, Lynwood High School and Burnside High School. Federated Farmers has spoken to Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker and offered whatever practical support we can. With the devastation knocking out electricity, sewage and water, our city cousins are in a tough spot. Farmers feel for the devastating situation our city cousins are in and will do whatever we can to help Christchurch get back its feet Federated Farmers has made further contact with Civil Defence to see what assistance the urban centres may need from the farming community. While this may not be taken up, please call 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) after 0930 am if you are able to offer assistance.

Electricity on the Orion network: All network linesman recommenced work at daylight. As of last evening, 80 percent of the network was reinstated and Federated Farmers expects a detailed rural report from Orion at around 10am. We have been told that for some places, the outage may last for between three and four days.

Grains update: The response of grains and seeds farmers to the emergency is humbling. As of 0730 am this morning, 31 farmers have offered surplus silo capacity to those needing it with a grains vac on stand-by. The grains and seeds section worked hard into the evening ahead of the expected change in weather. Federated Farmers wishes to advise publicly, that any farmer with damaged silos needing to secure storage can contact 0800 327 646 from 0930 am. For further advice please contact either Murray Rowlands on 027 242 9542 or David Clark 027 495 5202.

Generators: Federated Farmers now has a number of offers for generators that we are genuinely thankful for. If you need a loan generator, please contact 0800 327 646 from 0930 am.

Stock water: Aside from electricity, there is a growing issue with stock water that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is aware of. If you can offer assistance to fellow farmers with stock water please call 0800 327 646 after 0930 am.

ENDS

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