Northland Inc's Extension 350 has combined with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ to provide a reference point for farmers battling to respond to the effects of what some claim to be the region's worst drought in years, bringing together a number of farmers who will share their responses to the situation via the Northland Inc website, with weekly updates on their current focus and actions.
"This sector-wide collaboration creates an overview to help farmers prioritise their actions, focus on their farms and manage their wellbeing through this extremely stressful period," Extension 350 (E350) project lead Luke Beehre said.
"E350 is all about providing a network for farmers, and to enable positive things to happen in their businesses and their home lives, so it is vitally important at a time like this that farmers keep talking to each other, to their neighbours, and make sure they support each other and look after themselves.
"One thing we've learned from previously challenging times is don't try to make decisions every day. That way you'll dig yourself into a hole. Make decisions once a week and follow them, unless things change. It's so easy, when the pressure is on, to become too insular; by encouraging people to talk to each other, share their information and stay in touch, we hope we can ease the burden of that pressure."
Northland Inc CEO Murray Reade praised the resilience of Northland's farmers.
