The week-long Southland storm is now a medium-scale adverse event.

Agriculture Minister David Carter made the announcement during a visit to several of the worst hit farms in the region on Thursday.

Mr Carter says the  impact on stock losses and farmer morale is the worst he’s seen, and the  decision was an easy one.

“The first priority for the trusts now are to make sure that every farmers coping with the crisis, they’re not under too much mental or emotional strain.

Then it’s about moving into recovery mode, making sure that every farmer is making the right management decisions to minimise the financial impact of this disaster.”

One of the farms Mr Carter visited was that of Federated Farmers President Don Nicolson.

Mr Nicolson says it was important for the minister to see the damage first hand.

“We’re grateful that the minister came to southland and shared the experience with farmers, he’s recognised the substantial impact on farms, on stock and on individuals.

 The effects are dramatic and long lasting, he’s seen that first hand and we’re happy he was here.

The decision means Government relief measures will now kick in, including extra funding for the Rural Support Trust.

Southland Trust Chairman Lindsay Wright says farmers’ personal welfare is a concern.

“That’s one of the things we’re most concerned about is the welfare of the farmers themselves now.

“Dealing with the practical problems is hard enough, but they’ve got to keep themselves up as well, and that’s another issue.

Mr Wright some farmers have even set up their own groups to help each other out.

One great thing that came out of yesterday’s trip is we’ve found there are several groups of farmers who are already getting together and keeping in touch daily to support each other.

We’re encouraging anyone else if they have friends or neighbours they can get together to have a yarn about things then it’s good to do so.”

The Feds are also co-ordinating a relief fund set up to help farmers hit by the storm.

Meat processing company Alliance has donated $500,000, insurance company Farmers Mutual Group has put up $100,000 and Ballance Agri-Nutrients $40,000.

Don Nicolson says the job now is working out how to spread the money around.

We’ve received nearly three quarters of a million dollars from different institutions, but it’s difficult deciding who needs money the most.

That is the issue – how do we deploy these lovely gestures from these companies, and how we use the finances we have in the pot from our own support trust.”

Federated Farmers has a helpline for farmers – 0800 327 646 or  you can call 0800 222 090 to talk about help from the relief fund.

Anyone wishing to contact the Rural Support Trust can call 0800 RURAL HELP –  0800 787 254.