Lifestyle feed runs planned for the next two weekends

The Rural Advisory Group are planning feed runs for the next two weekends to help small block holders care for their animals however these will be the last runs for the foreseeable future.

Rural Advisory Group co-chair Lochie MacGillivray says the prolonged and severe drought has caused a massive feed deficit across the board for our commercial farmers and small block holders.

“We wanted to put in place some assistance for people responsible for small blocks. We will run lifestyle feed runs over the next two weekends, however we are getting to the bottom of the barrel in terms of hay availability, and so unless we find suitable alternative feed sources, we will finish after next weekend.

“We urge people on lifestyle blocks to continue to keep sourcing their own feed, and plan ahead so they have enough feed to get through the winter. Unfortunately the nature of this prolonged drought means that the feed deficit will continue for a while yet.”

People who want to order feed can go to the drought crisis hub on the Regional Council’s website and click the lifestyle feed button. https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/farmers-hub/drought-crisis-hub/

The group’s first lifestyle feed run over Queen’s birthday weekend was a great success with 1,300 hay bales distributed to small block holders for a variety of stock.

Mr MacGillivray says it was wonderful to see the community come together to support the cause and get much needed feed to lifestyle farmers.

“It was an incredible effort by all involved, and we were surprised by the demand. We put the application form online and within 24 hours, most of the bales had sold.”

“I want to thank the Regional Council for their phenomenal effort in organising the feed run in an extremely tight timeframe. People who came to get feed were pleased with how well organised, and smooth the process was.”

On Saturday, the group distributed 335 conventional hay bales, 745 conventional mini bales, 40 Lucerne Mini Bales, 60 Paspalum conventional hay bales and 120 Paspulum conventional mini bales.

“We also want to thank the Racehorse Breeders Syndicate, Southcombe Pitt Partnership, Rua Kiwi Gardens, and Oropi Contractors for providing the feed. And a big thank you to Philip Parry Contracting, Minibales HB and Twist Trucking for delivering the feed. We couldn’t have done it without the strong arms of Napier Tech and volunteer staff from the Regional Council,” said Mr MacGillivray.

The transport costs of the feed runs are being funded by the Hawke’s Bay Drought Relief Fund.

Commercial farmers will be able to apply for funding for the transport of their feed. Details will be announced soon.

People can donate to the fund by going to www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/diggingdeep

3 June 2020

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