October 30, 2025 • 8 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well that's next on the show. We've got Simon Stokes
from Environments South and just to cover off things that
have happened over the last week, get a Simon here
getting on well.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Not too bad and probably a lot better than a
lot of people who have been devastated by this windstorms.
What is the week?
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Week now, today, week today, week yesterday?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I think, yeah, no, there's a lot of people still
in very difficult circumstances. So yeah, our thoughts go out
to them.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Oh absolutely yeah, So I guess if we cut to
the chase, like, there's plenty happening on farm with everything
else going on too with farming has concluded, But what
are the main challenges on farms just following this with
the event.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Well, the main challenges that we've been picking up through
the Rural Resource Group and talking to farmers as pretty
prey they line up really well. There's there's the water
supply for stock, there's stock wealthy of full stop. It's
a really critical time for dairy cows in particular. You've
got the feeders that a couple will come into play
as well, and also you've got just looking after yourself
(01:05):
and looking after staff and neighbors. And stuff, all of that,
and when you add that all up, that's a lot
of things to be thinking about. And the environment self
and is conscious of that, and we're here to help
any way, shape or form with regards to those things.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, and to be fair, I work in a sales role,
selling machinery, touching base with it. As many fans I
heard earlier on the weekend on Friday. It's amazing people
just getting in and helping each other out. Just no
questions are So we've got a great spirit down here.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, no, no, we have, and it's been relatively new
to the area. It's been great to see so and
you know, look, we really want farmers to understand for
us that we're also a part of their farming business.
We provide a whole range of advisory support. I've got
staff in here chomping at the bit to be able
to get out and provide that professional knowledge to them.
(02:01):
And I think that's a key message from us really
is too, like the the you can't ignore some of
the responsibilities around the environment. But at the same time
we're here to provide advice and help with that and
so that farmers don't get bogged down and those sorts
of things as well as everything else they're trying to do.
So you know, give us a call and any any
(02:25):
however we can help, we will provide that help.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Yeah, well that's because it brings me to the next port.
With the weather's been wet. There's been snow also not
quite some made for south. But yeah, the efflip points
getting full. This paddicks a reason we waterlogged in places
like this. There's a bit we've got a workground on that,
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, no, look, it's not easy, and our role in this,
I suppose trying to make it easier is that, as
we've been messaging, if you've got milk that you can't
send anywhere, put it in your affluent ponds. Keep a
record of that. It's really ordant. If you have to
apply affluent out into the farming landscape, then you know,
(03:06):
just be practical about it and put it where you
know it's not going to run off anywhere. That's the
most important thing. And again just record it. The thing
is is that I think a future proofs the farmers
moving forward and it keeps it gives us the ability
to have an open, open, open line of conversation with everyone,
(03:27):
and that I think will take just take the heat
out of some of those decisions making on farm, just
knowing that we're here to help, but also don't don't
don't ignore us on a sense that we can be
valuable to help with whatever decisions you're making that are troublesome.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, well, it's about the solution, isn't it. Not the problem.
We're trying to come up with the right answer, which
isn't always right first time that you get there, I
get there.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, you know, what support can you guys offer in
the wave farmers under the pump with some of the
specially around full ponds or anything.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, I suppose we've paused inspections, which people will be
pleased with for a little while. I'm not sure as
to when they will start again, but that's one aspect
that will probably ease people's minds. But it goes back
to what I was saying before, Chris, the staff are
here really to help with any I would pull it
more of a planning going forward the range of farm
(04:28):
activities at the moment. Along was the problem with disposing
of milk and irrogating, etc. But there's also hulking into
planning for putting your crops in and all those sorts
of things. So at this time I would suggest the
farmer's look, take five, sit down and have a think
about how you're planning the next while, because this recovery phase.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
Is going to keep going from Yeah, but look out
for the next twelve months and lot you seriously have
land advisors, might land advisory staff here, lean sustainability staff,
you know, willing and able and comfortable to come out
and just provide that little bit of advice that might
just take the pressure off.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yes, it's basically a measure approach, isn't it? Just no
need at the.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Action, No, exactly, And if you want to get a
hold of us, we're trying to we're start for attending
the range of barbecues that all the wonderful people are
putting on, and we're out and about as well. So yeah,
just don't be hesitant. The more the more you're in
touch with us, the more we can help.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That's brilliant, that really is. It's just someone to talk
to as well, isn't it. Or yeah, I feel somebody
out to weave it on the thoughts at doing this
and they'll be yeah, yeah, yeah, do it or maybe
hold back.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
So yeah, because it's just taking that pressure off press
because most farms will have a professional team wrapped around them,
and I'd like to see us as being part of
that professional team because it's not just about how we
deal with the discharges, et cetera. There's a whole lot
of other skills set to knowledge that the team bring.
And it could be anything related to, well, what should
(06:03):
I plant to replace my shoulder belts?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yep, yep, something simple like that. Well it seems simple
on the outside, but it could be something that mitigates
risks down the line too with damage, couldn't it?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
So oh, exactly exactly I was. I was had a
look through the upper EMA use today and yeah, there's
some really really sad sights to see, but there's also
some examples of how particularly shelder belts and trees coked
with the wind.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Absolutely, And I know my region not sort of north
and south and east and south, and we've got off
relatively lightly by comparison, So we're just counting the blessings
more than anything. And electricity was the issue, but everybody
worked together. There were generators gone, you know, some generators.
I saw one of the local sparks. He was doing
eleven hundred k's in a day just running generators around.
(06:50):
That's impressible, Yeah, Riichy.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, because that's a good point too. Actually it's not
just you know, our rural farmers I suppose, who are
working flat out at the moment. There's also the the
pork crew coming from electricians to rural Support Trust and.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Yeah, the Bier service.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
It was like a movie with the sirens going off.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah no, and I think I think, I think, yeah,
just just just listening to what you're saying it and
having been involved in a couple of cyclones in the
Bay of Plenty. Actually the hardest time really was the
following two to three months after the event, because you
kind of the event happens, and you run on adrenaline
for quite a while, and then your adrenaline runs out
(07:32):
and actually there's still quite a bit to do.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Yep, and the battery is a bit flat.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, that's where you need a human generator, don't you.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
It's called sunlight and no wind.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Well that's what they told me when I was moving
down here. I'm yet to that believe it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
We get the best weather in the country.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Well, you've got some of the best farm land in
the country, that's for sure. It certainly some great farmland
out there. So yeah, so basically that that's the nuts, really,
I suppose. Yeah, farmers out there, please notify us, get
in touch with us, keep those lines of communication open.
And you know, we're actually working hard in the actual
(08:13):
emergency management service itself. There's been plenty of staff and
there on shift work helping to organize the current state
of emergency, and so we're heavily involved and until we're
out of this emergency and into recovery, and we'll keep
working hard to support our support all of our community.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Brilliant.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Hey Simon, we've just done our time limit. I sorry,
but thank you very much for coming on the show.
There's lots of good advice here wise words, So thank
you all all very much for your support and the
work you guys have been doing and all the beast
for the future.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
No, thank you, Chris. Then you a great job that
the radios are doing as well, so cheers.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Good on you.
Well that's next on the show. We've got Simon Stokes
from Environments South and just to cover off things that
have happened over the last week, get a Simon here
getting on well.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Not too bad and probably a lot better than a
lot of people who have been devastated by this windstorms.
What is the week?
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Week now, today, week today, week yesterday?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I think, yeah, no, there's a lot of people still
in very difficult circumstances. So yeah, our thoughts go out
to them.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Oh absolutely yeah, So I guess if we cut to
the chase, like, there's plenty happening on farm with everything
else going on too with farming has concluded, But what
are the main challenges on farms just following this with
the event.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Well, the main challenges that we've been picking up through
the Rural Resource Group and talking to farmers as pretty
prey they line up really well. There's there's the water
supply for stock, there's stock wealthy of full stop. It's
a really critical time for dairy cows in particular. You've
got the feeders that a couple will come into play
as well, and also you've got just looking after yourself
(01:05):
and looking after staff and neighbors. And stuff, all of that,
and when you add that all up, that's a lot
of things to be thinking about. And the environment self
and is conscious of that, and we're here to help
any way, shape or form with regards to those things.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah, and to be fair, I work in a sales role,
selling machinery, touching base with it. As many fans I
heard earlier on the weekend on Friday. It's amazing people
just getting in and helping each other out. Just no
questions are So we've got a great spirit down here.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, no, no, we have, and it's been relatively new
to the area. It's been great to see so and
you know, look, we really want farmers to understand for
us that we're also a part of their farming business.
We provide a whole range of advisory support. I've got
staff in here chomping at the bit to be able
to get out and provide that professional knowledge to them.
(02:01):
And I think that's a key message from us really
is too, like the the you can't ignore some of
the responsibilities around the environment. But at the same time
we're here to provide advice and help with that and
so that farmers don't get bogged down and those sorts
of things as well as everything else they're trying to do.
So you know, give us a call and any any
(02:25):
however we can help, we will provide that help.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Yeah, well that's because it brings me to the next port.
With the weather's been wet. There's been snow also not
quite some made for south. But yeah, the efflip points
getting full. This paddicks a reason we waterlogged in places
like this. There's a bit we've got a workground on that,
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, no, look, it's not easy, and our role in this,
I suppose trying to make it easier is that, as
we've been messaging, if you've got milk that you can't
send anywhere, put it in your affluent ponds. Keep a
record of that. It's really ordant. If you have to
apply affluent out into the farming landscape, then you know,
(03:06):
just be practical about it and put it where you
know it's not going to run off anywhere. That's the
most important thing. And again just record it. The thing
is is that I think a future proofs the farmers
moving forward and it keeps it gives us the ability
to have an open, open, open line of conversation with everyone,
(03:27):
and that I think will take just take the heat
out of some of those decisions making on farm, just
knowing that we're here to help, but also don't don't
don't ignore us on a sense that we can be
valuable to help with whatever decisions you're making that are troublesome.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, well, it's about the solution, isn't it. Not the problem.
We're trying to come up with the right answer, which
isn't always right first time that you get there, I
get there.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, you know, what support can you guys offer in
the wave farmers under the pump with some of the
specially around full ponds or anything.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Well, I suppose we've paused inspections, which people will be
pleased with for a little while. I'm not sure as
to when they will start again, but that's one aspect
that will probably ease people's minds. But it goes back
to what I was saying before, Chris, the staff are
here really to help with any I would pull it
more of a planning going forward the range of farm
(04:28):
activities at the moment. Along was the problem with disposing
of milk and irrogating, etc. But there's also hulking into
planning for putting your crops in and all those sorts
of things. So at this time I would suggest the
farmer's look, take five, sit down and have a think
about how you're planning the next while, because this recovery phase.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
Is going to keep going from Yeah, but look out
for the next twelve months and lot you seriously have
land advisors, might land advisory staff here, lean sustainability staff,
you know, willing and able and comfortable to come out
and just provide that little bit of advice that might
just take the pressure off.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yes, it's basically a measure approach, isn't it? Just no
need at the.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Action, No, exactly, And if you want to get a
hold of us, we're trying to we're start for attending
the range of barbecues that all the wonderful people are
putting on, and we're out and about as well. So yeah,
just don't be hesitant. The more the more you're in
touch with us, the more we can help.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That's brilliant, that really is. It's just someone to talk
to as well, isn't it. Or yeah, I feel somebody
out to weave it on the thoughts at doing this
and they'll be yeah, yeah, yeah, do it or maybe
hold back.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
So yeah, because it's just taking that pressure off press
because most farms will have a professional team wrapped around them,
and I'd like to see us as being part of
that professional team because it's not just about how we
deal with the discharges, et cetera. There's a whole lot
of other skills set to knowledge that the team bring.
And it could be anything related to, well, what should
(06:03):
I plant to replace my shoulder belts?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Yep, yep, something simple like that. Well it seems simple
on the outside, but it could be something that mitigates
risks down the line too with damage, couldn't it?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
So oh, exactly exactly I was. I was had a
look through the upper EMA use today and yeah, there's
some really really sad sights to see, but there's also
some examples of how particularly shelder belts and trees coked
with the wind.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Absolutely, And I know my region not sort of north
and south and east and south, and we've got off
relatively lightly by comparison, So we're just counting the blessings
more than anything. And electricity was the issue, but everybody
worked together. There were generators gone, you know, some generators.
I saw one of the local sparks. He was doing
eleven hundred k's in a day just running generators around.
(06:50):
That's impressible, Yeah, Riichy.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, because that's a good point too. Actually it's not
just you know, our rural farmers I suppose, who are
working flat out at the moment. There's also the the
pork crew coming from electricians to rural Support Trust and.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Yeah, the Bier service.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
It was like a movie with the sirens going off.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah no, and I think I think, I think, yeah,
just just just listening to what you're saying it and
having been involved in a couple of cyclones in the
Bay of Plenty. Actually the hardest time really was the
following two to three months after the event, because you
kind of the event happens, and you run on adrenaline
for quite a while, and then your adrenaline runs out
(07:32):
and actually there's still quite a bit to do.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Yep, and the battery is a bit flat.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, that's where you need a human generator, don't you.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
It's called sunlight and no wind.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Well that's what they told me when I was moving
down here. I'm yet to that believe it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
We get the best weather in the country.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Well, you've got some of the best farm land in
the country, that's for sure. It certainly some great farmland
out there. So yeah, so basically that that's the nuts, really,
I suppose. Yeah, farmers out there, please notify us, get
in touch with us, keep those lines of communication open.
And you know, we're actually working hard in the actual
(08:13):
emergency management service itself. There's been plenty of staff and
there on shift work helping to organize the current state
of emergency, and so we're heavily involved and until we're
out of this emergency and into recovery, and we'll keep
working hard to support our support all of our community.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Brilliant.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Hey Simon, we've just done our time limit. I sorry,
but thank you very much for coming on the show.
There's lots of good advice here wise words, So thank
you all all very much for your support and the
work you guys have been doing and all the beast
for the future.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
No, thank you, Chris. Then you a great job that
the radios are doing as well, so cheers.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Good on you.
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