Dairy NZ

Storms and 'weather bombs' have caused flooding throughout the country in the past. Stock losses, power outages, slips, bridges washed away, silt covered pastures requiring regrassing - the effects can be devastating on a farm business. Knowing what to do will reduce the immediate impact of the flood and planning strategies to deal with the aftermath will allow for a quicker recovery.

Immediate actions

• Ensure the safety of family and staff
• Move stock to safety, shelter and water and make sure they can't wander. Are the electric fences working?
• Check power and phones. Report outages
• Check dogs, poultry and pets
• Check on neighbours - do they need help or can they help you?
• Check buildings at risk, feed stacks. Move equipment and feed to higher ground.
• Use generators if necessary to keep pumps, refrigeration, electric fences and household appliances running. Flood pumps may need attention.

Next priority

• Move stock to a stand-off area so that they do not damage good pastures
• Feed stock
• Check roads and tracks, bridges, culverts.  Report road and tanker track access problems to council and/or dairy company
• Clean up houses
• Look after family, staff, neighbours.  Accept help if you need it.
• Milk herd if you can, but note that you may choose to delay milking or milk once-a-day to allow you time for other priorities. Watch for high SCCs and mastitis, and keep in touch with the dairy company as necessary.

In a day or two or when flood has receded

• Assess damage to water supply and reticulation system.  Which troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?
• Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts and fences. What clearing away of flood debris is needed?
• Assess damage to pastures, the depth and type of silt
• Assess available non-flooded pastures and other undamaged feed reserves
•  Contact local council, flood relief co-ordinator, DairyNZ staff, Federated Farmers, MAF, the NZ Landcare Trust, Taskforce Green or other resource providers
• Talk to bank manager, insurance company
• Accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.

Next

• Work out a feed and action plan
• Plan pasture rennovation
• Relocating stock after floods

For more information refer to:

• Crisis Priority Checklist
• Wet weather management handout
• Decision tree for flooded land document 
• Managing stressed animals
• Managing stressed people

If you would like more information on farming out of a flood, call the DairyNZ Farmer Information Service on 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969).

You can also call the Rural Support Trust in your area or contact your local DairyNZ Consulting Officer.