Farmers flock to Ruataniwha meeting

The event, jointly hosted with Federated Farmers, saw over 250 Hawke's Bay farmers and growers turn up to hear the irrigation development experiences of South Island farmers.

"We had farmers from Canterbury and Otago breaking down how they make irrigation pay and what it's done for their farming operations," says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis.

"They weren't large scale dairy farmers either. Rab McDowell and Nick Webster showed how sheep finishing, beef, cropping and speciality seed, alongside dairy support operations can all benefit from reliable irrigation."

The event also included talks from local irrigators, Arthur Rowlands and Hugh Ritchie who spoke on how they would make the irrigation development work for them.

Curtis says that the aim of the evening was about information-sharing from those who have been there and done it.

"The feedback we've had is that it's opened up new possibilities and thought processes for those considering Ruataniwha water. That's a great thing as theoretical economics being spouted by detractors of the dam just can't compete with the reality," he says.

IrrigationNZ and Federated Farmers will now continue to rally the Hawke's Bay farming community in the uptake of water.

"Based on last night's support the dam's definitely over the line. It's now how we push on and move to 60% plus. If we do this it makes the design of the distribution system far more cost effective," says Curtis

The 'It's Now or Never' Ruataniwha meeting was supported by Westpac and FMG Rural Insurance.