Strong Winds Devastate North Canterbury’s Irrigation Equipment

Severe winds in North Canterbury have caused significant damage to irrigation equipment, estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. On Thursday, powerful gusts wreaked havoc in the Amuri Basin, uprooting and damaging hundreds of large pivot irrigators. Farmers in the region now face lengthy delays for replacement parts, which are likely to take weeks or even months to arrive from overseas.

According to Bex Green, president of Federated Farmers North Canterbury, over 700 pivot spans have been affected. Each damaged span can cost approximately $30,000, leading to an estimated total loss exceeding $20 million. “Getting parts could take a lengthy amount of time. I’ve heard November at the earliest, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re waiting until next year,” Green stated.

The impact on farming operations is already being felt. Green described a situation where her own pivot system, comprising 13 spans, has suffered substantial losses. “Our first seven are fine, then we have three down after that. The final three are fine but we can’t use those, so we’ve essentially lost half of our pivot,” she explained. This loss means they are unable to adequately water parts of their farm.

Farmers are also contending with insurance challenges. Green noted that some equipment may be uninsured due to previous claims; certain farmers have seen their pivots turned over too many times, leading insurers to decline coverage. With the critical dry season approaching, the stakes are high. “For us, that’s 80 to 100 hectares that won’t get watered and won’t grow any grass. We’ll have no option but to bring in bought feed,” she added.

As the summer months draw near, farmers face tough decisions. Green highlighted the complexities of managing livestock when irrigation is compromised. “Do you reduce your cows, send them off to another farm that can feed them and compromise your production? Or do you try and put other feed in so they can do somewhat better?” she pondered. Many farmers are now adjusting their milking schedules, with some moving to once-a-day milking much earlier than usual.

The broader ramifications of the wind damage are becoming clearer. Green has reported a wave of stress among farmers, many of whom are already feeling the pressure of uncertain repair timelines. “Farmers are going to be quite stressed worrying about feed input then not being able to water those parts of the farm. It’s going to be a long summer,” she warned.

In the wake of last week’s wild weather, insurance claims have exceeded $10 million and are expected to rise. FMG, New Zealand’s largest rural insurer, has received more than 900 weather-related claims, with half coming from the Southland and Otago regions. Jacqui McIntosh, a spokesperson for FMG, stated that claims have included damage to roofs, farm buildings, fencing, and irrigation systems. “We’re still in the early days of this and expect those numbers to rise once the state of emergencies lift and utilities are restored,” she said.

To address the crisis, Federated Farmers is working with various organizations including Dairy NZ, Fonterra, and the Ministry for Primary Industries as part of the Canterbury Rural Advisory Group. This collaboration aims to share vital information and provide updates to farmers on the ground.

As recovery efforts begin, the focus will be on restoring irrigation capabilities and ensuring farms remain operational. The long-term implications of this event are yet to be fully understood, but for many in North Canterbury, the immediate concern remains: how to navigate the challenges posed by this unprecedented damage.