Support for Farmers at the end of the Phone

Support for Farmers at the end of the Phone

Hawke’s Bay farmers feeling the pressure of three consecutive droughts can get advice or just someone to talk to by calling one of the two newly appointed Agricultural Recovery Facilitators (ARFs).

Now a drought has been declared the East Coast Rural Support Trust, which convenes the Drought Committee, has employed Mike Barham and Tom Goodger as advocates for the rural community.

Committee chairman and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says both Mike and Tom come from a farming background and are Lincoln graduates.

“They offer a good mix of approachability, an ability to listen and to give sensible advice,” Mayor Yule says.

“They have experience with feed budgeting and financial budgeting to assist farmers with the decision-making process before they talk to their professional advisers.”

Farmers can meet Mike and Tom at the Drought Meeting and Barbecues being held in Wallingford, Maraekakaho, Rissington and Elsthorpe.

Those meetings will also be an opportunity for farmers to socialise, hear more information on how to cope with the current situation and how to position farms for recovery through spring.

Speakers include vet Richard Lee from Vet Services Hawke’s Bay, farm consultants Roy Fraser from PGGWrightson and Lochie MacGillivray from AgFirst.

Federated Farmers 0800 DROUGHT (0800 376 844) line is back - matching farmers with feed to sell with farmers who need it.

Hawkes Bay Drought Field Days + BBQ

Monday 18th May - Wallingford Hall - Bush Road, Wallingford

Tuesday 19th May - Maraekakaho Hall, Kereru Rd, RD1, Hastings

Wednesday 20th May - Camp Omatua, Puketitiri Rd, Rissington

Thursday 21st May - Elsthorpe Community Hall, 7 Kenderdine Rd, Elsthorpe

Meetings start at 3pm with presentations approximately from 3.15pm to 4.30pm.

Agricultural Recovery Facilitators
Mike Barham
Ph (06) 877 3930
Cell 027 5828 443

Tom Goodger
Ph (06) 858 9212
Cell 027 597 5839

Mike Barham Biography

Mike graduated from Lincoln College in 1976 followed by a few years farming rising to farm management before gaining his own farm by way of a Lands and Survey ballot in 1982.

This initial period of farm ownership coincided with the removal of all farming subsidies and ingrained a need for strict budgeting and financial planning which has remained through his 27 years of farm ownership.

Having recently formed a shared ownership with one of his sons on Mangatarata Station he has stepped aside to be involved in a combination of helping on the farm, off farm commercial activities and has become a qualified Budget advisor on a voluntary basis.

With this lifetime of farming with many financial and seasonal ups and downs during this time, give Mike the background to help farmers with problems being faced due to the current financial and drought related problems from a practical farmer’s point of view.

Tom Goodger Biography

Tom, originally from Southland, graduated from Lincoln College in 1978 and moved north to the Wairarapa, where he managed a sheep and beef property before going into a partnership for 5 years. In 1984 he joined the MAF Farm Advisory team in Hastings and was part of the team that opened the new office in Waipukurau.

In 1989 he went overseas and when he came back he spent quite a few years working under contract to two meat companies with supply management.

Over the years he has worked closely with the teams set up involved with Drought Recovery and again wishes to be involved.

A lot of the work is being a sounding board as to strategies and decisions that have to be made. Early and timely decisions with careful monitoring and planning are the tools that get you through these difficult times.

A problem shared is a burden halved so if you have any concerns or issues you would like to talk over with someone please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

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