CHECKLIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Farmers were asked to recommend on how they would plan for and cope with a future snow in their district. Not all recommendations will be applicable but there is opportunity to select ideas appropriate to your situation.
Personal
- Plan early for snows. Be prepared.
- Act promptly on snow warnings, treat forecasts seriously.
- Don't get bogged down in detail. Prioritise the operation.
- Seek advice from experienced farmers. Talk to other farmers.
- Don't be afraid to ask for or accept help. Work in with other farmers.
Feeding
- Have adequate winter feed reserves, preferably two years supply.
- Keep some high quality supplements (eg silage) for feeding near lambing.
- If purchasing supplements, do it promptly.
- Ensure that feed reserves are accessible. Keep some small hay bales for transport with helicopter
- Feed hay as soon as possible. Feed well after the snows. Twice daily if necessary.
- Train stock to hay or grain if not accustomed to it.
- Grow a paddock of kale or greenfeed if appropriate.
- Keep a paddock of saved grass. Use urea (plains and Banks Peninsula).
- If necessary, source off-farm grazing.
Management
- Train stock to lower altitude using hay or brassicas (upland areas).
- Shift sheep to low altitude by shortest day.
- Keep sheltered or safe block/paddock ungrazed for emergency use.
- On snow warning, shift to low altitude, sunny country (upland) and sheltered areas (downs and plains).
- Alternatively mob stock near to arterial tracks, easy access paddocks.
- Have snowrakers off the hill by 4 pm.
- Provide an experienced person to lead inexperienced snowrakers.
- Keep sheep in good condition. Don't overstock. Don't keep aged sheep on hill.
- Avoid set stocking on winter blocks.
- Have stock which suit the country.
- Don't lamb too early.
- Minimize input into minority, sick/sleepy sickness mobs.
- Prioritise livestock to be rescued - capital stock first.
Shearing
- Don't shear too close to lambing.
- Blade shear if winter shearing on hill - high country.
- Cover comb if winter shearing on plains.
- Shear only what can be adequately covered.
Vehicles
- Source dozers early to clear tracks. Use a snowplough to clear tracks and expose grass/brassicas on plains (preferably while still snowing).
- Have adequate vehicles, preferably a 4-wheel drive and keep them in good order.
- If appropriate, use helicopters to locate livestock and transport labour.
General
- Plant shelter, especially tall shelter, woodlots.
- Have adequate, well maintained tracks.
- Keep emergency food, alternative cooking and heating systems.
- Consider options if no telephone. Radio-telephone or cellphone.
- A dollar spent on recovery represents $2 saved.
- Have a financial buffer for adverse events.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
A full report on the snow survey, titled "A Survey of Management Practices used by Canterbury
Farmers to Minimize the Impact of Snow", MAF Policy Technical Paper
94/11, can be obtained from MAF Policy, Rural Resources Unit, PO Box 2526, Wellington;
or by contacting Grant McFadden, Regional Policy Manager, MAF Policy, 14 Sir
William Pickering Drive, Bishopdale, Christchurch PO Box 20 280
Alternatively, contact your local Federated Farmers Provincial Secretary.
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
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