Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says the Government needs to declare a small to medium scale adverse event for current drought conditions in Southland.

“The prolonged lack of rain in Southland is turning into a very serious weather situation for rural communities. I am very concerned about the impact this is having on our province and I think it’s high time that the Government recognised the issue.”

“Farmers and their businesses are hurting – financially and emotionally, and the impact is spreading to their families, their staff and local communities,” she says. 

Simmonds says that acknowledgement of the extremely dry conditions Southern farmers are grappling with will allow them to access some much-needed support. 

Cattle in drought conditions. Photo: Anita Erskine

“Federated Farmers says many Southland farmers don’t believe the devastating situation around this province is being acknowledged by Government because of the wet conditions being experienced elsewhere in the country” says Simmonds. 

“But NIWA figures show Invercargill, Tiwai Point and Stewart Island have had their driest summer on record, and anecdotally farmers in Central, Western and Southern Southland have told me they’ve not seen conditions this dry in many decades. They also say they're worried and getting desperate.”

Simmonds says that despite dairy’s high payout this year, farmers are now dealing with increased fuel and fertiliser prices, and the cost of buying in supplementary feed to keep stock going.

She says sheep, beef and dairy farmers are being affected by a shortage of killing space at local meat processing plants which is adding to the pressure, because they can't get stock off their farms.

“This is a chronic situation for our farming community, and I would encourage anyone who has concerns around their wellbeing, or that of a mate, neighbour or family member, to get in touch with the local Rural Support Trust,” she says.