29/11/2013
MEDIA RELEASE: MEETINGS ORGANISED FOR FROST-AFFECTED FARMERS
Monday 25 November 2013
NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, is encouraging frost-affected farmers in the South West of the State to attend local meetings to... learn about services available to assist them.
“The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is working with local agencies, and will host meetings in frost-affected areas to bring together farmers and support services including, rural financial counsellors and DPI rural support workers, Catchment Management Authority agronomists and staff from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Ms Hodgkinson said it has been particularly difficult to see such a promising harvest hit by frost, so late in the season.
“The extent of the damage is still being assessed by growers and commercial agronomists and won’t be known until later in the harvest when yields and quality of the grain in affected paddocks can be determined,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“However, the estimates that I am receiving suggest that more than 600,000 hectares of wheat and in excess of 200,000 hectares of canola have been hit in the frost affected zone, with crop losses ranging from complete wipe-out, down to losses ranging from 5 to 20 per cent.
“While frost damage does not qualify for natural disaster financial relief funding, farmers should report damage to the Rural Assistance Authority or their Rural Support Worker to seek appropriate guidance.
“I am advised that some of the badly affected wheat crops have now been cut for hay and other producers are considering their options.”
Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli, said the frost had curtailed what was expected to be a good harvest in the Murrumbidgee this year.
“For this frost damage to come so late in the season and cause the damage that it did, has been devastating for some families,” he said.
“It is important that the affected producers attend this meeting to gather information about what services are available to help them through this difficult time.”
Member for Albury, Greg Aplin, urged producers to attend the meetings.
“These meetings will provide an opportunity for the frost-affected farmers and their families to meet with a range of agencies to find out what services are available at this stressful time,” he said.
MEDIA: Julian Luke 9228 5210
Meetings will be held at the following locations:
Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre – Yanco
2198 Irrigation Way East
Thursday 5 December 2013 – 11am
RSVP – 4 December to [email protected]
Yarran Wines – Yenda
178 Myall Park Road
Thursday 5 December – 2pm
RSVP – 4 December to [email protected]
Community Technology Centre – Holbrook
Library Court Bowler Street
Monday 9 December 2013 – 12noon
RSVP – 6 December to [email protected]
Landmark Office – Marrar
27 York Street
Friday 13 December 2013 – 12noon
RSVP – 12 December to [email protected] More
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/492721/frost-affected-farmers.pdf
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
