Stock going back to Taieri Plains

Press, 25 November 1980, Page 31

Stock going back to Taieri Plains

PA Dunedin A lot of stock shifted from the Taieri Plain during the disastrous floods in June have been returned to their home farms. About 10 farmers still have no cows, but many others have received a half or a third of their total stock, according to a Taieri farmer, Mr D. M. Tayior.

A total of 7500 head of cattle and 6200 sheep were shifted tc Southland, South Otago, Central Otago, South Canterbury, and Mid-Canter-bury, and to areas of the Taieri not affected by the flooding. Stock losses during the floods included 151 cows, 1680 sheep, 79 calves and yearlings, 328 hens, 11 pigs, and 11 goats, Mr Taylor said. One fanner expects the return soon of about 60 cows from Christchurch. Some farmers still have no income, but face hundreds of dollars in cartage fees. The Ministry of Agriculture paid the bill for the cartage of stock from the Taieri, but farmers must nav for the return of their livestock. Rural Bank loans can be

.used to pay for cartage, but' i this set the farmers back, a [year or two, Mr Taylor said.* 'Horse floats were being used; [by some farmers to transport’ stock, and some farmers had their own truck and cattle crate. I One or two farmers had had to dismiss married couples working on their) farms, sell some stock, and* carry on with just one! [worker, Mr Taylor said. i Although the grass is beginning to grow in some[ areas, the farmers who were badly affected by the flooding could not handle the return of stock, especially milking cows, Mr Taylor said. Many farmers still had not got the feed to give cows, and others were feeding them on feed such as bran. As the supervisor of the five remaining Temporary Employment Programme workers on the Taieri, Mr Taylor said they were helping on farms to rework the ground and resow grass. Some Taieri farmers would not get back into proper production until next spring, and others might not get into full production for another eight years. Mr Taylor ;said.