Final Tauranga drought feed shipments unpacked
 
Federated Farmers Grain & Seed has completed its final drought feed shipment into the Port of Tauranga, with containers being unpacked last Thursday for delivery in coming days.  In all, some 100,000 small bale equivalents have been delivered via the Port of Tauranga.
 
“The entire drought feed operation has become the ‘Farmy Army Navy’, given the mix of farmers and companies involved,” says David Clark, Federated Farmers Grain & Seed Vice-Chairperson.
 
“Given the acronym I am a big FAN of the companies, farmers and shippers involved.  In six weeks we have worked extraordinarily long hours to get some 100,000 bales of rye-grass and barley straw into the Port of Tauranga.
 
“Without Pacifica Shipping or the Port of Tauranga none of this would have been possible and people need to know that.
 
“The final Tauranga shipment was delivered by Pacifica Shipping last Wednesday and was unpacked by Neville Marsh Contracting over Thursday.  This marks the final delivery into the Port of Tauranga but deliveries are continuing into the Port of Napier.
 
“All of these companies have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  They have done much at cost and have even lent us the odd bit of equipment to clean-up too.
 
“To say Federated Farmers shipping bulk straw is unusual is an understatement.  Every single person we have dealt with has bent over backwards to help us solve some unique challenges.  That’s why its spirit is very much that of the Farmy Army.
 
“I must say a huge thanks to the Port of Lyttelton where our feed shipments were dispatched from and especially to NZ Express Transport for packing the containers.  That has been massive and continues with the on-going operation into Napier.
 
“Everyone’s focus is to help pastoral farmers through winter and to the green fields of spring beyond.
 
“As this is Tauranga’s final delivery of straw, dairy and sheep/beef farmers need to know that we also have good supplies of Kiwi feed grain.  The Foundation for Arable Research recently put out an advisory on feeding cereal grains to sheep because grains are a good source of energy.
 
“While Federated Farmers sent this advisory onto all of our meat & fibre members, I am also including a link to it here.  If farmers wish to discuss grain options then call 0800 327 646 and ask for your local grains representative, or find us under ‘contact us’ at www.fedfarm.org.nz,” Mr Clark concluded.

ENDS

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