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Farmers urged to seek help as drought declared

Author
Alex Braae ,
Publish Date
Fri, 29 Dec 2017, 6:54AM
Farmers have been urged to seek help if they need it, especially in Taranaki, Wellington and Manawatu-Whanganui, where drought has been declared. (Photo \ Getty Images)
Farmers have been urged to seek help if they need it, especially in Taranaki, Wellington and Manawatu-Whanganui, where drought has been declared. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Farmers urged to seek help as drought declared

Author
Alex Braae ,
Publish Date
Fri, 29 Dec 2017, 6:54AM

A Hawke's Bay farmer is urging his counterparts affected by drought to not hesitate in seeking mental health support.

A drought's been declared in Taranaki, Wellington and the Manawatu-Whanganui regions, with little rain on the short term horizon.

Rural commentator Steve Wyn-Harris said it's a stressful time for any farmer, but many organisations can help.

"There's rural support trusts who are just there waiting to be called and of course there is the crisis help line, so if you know of anyone or you are under pressure and are really feeling the strain, there are people there."

Wyn-Harris has been through droughts, and says because the weather is out of farmers' hands, it can be a psychologically difficult time.

"It does weigh heavily on the minds of farmers. If you look at the dairy industry, they've been dealing with low product prices and high debt burden so they have that that added stress."

The Rural Support Trust can be contacted on 0800 787 254.

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