Around 200 farmers turned out in Wyndham on Monday night for the first of three get-togethers following last month’s horror snow storms across Southland and Otago.

The Federated Farmers-led meeting offered farmers support and a chance to socialise after several tough weeks of stock losses.

Feds Chief Executive Conor English says the response was fantastic.

“It was actually a bloody excellent night, and people hung around until after midnight.

"They had a bit of a chat, a bite to eat, and a few quiet beers.

"It was really good, we had over 150 there, we were all really pleased with it.

"The key thing was that information sharing - get them socialising, laughing a bit and communicating with everyone about what problems they may have.

"You’ve just got to work through it, it’s not the end of the world.”

Southland Rural Support Trust chair Lindsay Wright says many farmers had been finding their troubles too big a burden.

“It didn’t matter whether they are young farmers or long established farmers, they’ve all taken a hit.

"I was speaking to some long time farmers, and they were almost overwhelmed with the hit that they’ve taken, but now of course they’re going to have to deal with it."

Mr Wright says many farmers were just happy to have someone else to talk to.

"It was a quietly happy meeting. They were happy to be away, to share a few stories, and have a chat with the likes of the Rural Support Trust and Federated Farmers.

"It was comforting to know that someone cares about them, and I think many were happy to have that support.”

There are two more meetings being held – in Otautau on Tuesday night and Balclutha on Wednesday.