MAF estimates as many as 150 Canterbury farms have been severely damaged by Saturday’s earthquake, and a further 250 need repairs.

Federated Farmers is still is still visiting quake-hit farms around Christchurch to assess damage and get farmers the help they need.

Field Officer Vicky O’Connor says the top priority is visiting as many farms as possible, particularly those on the fault line.

“We’re back on the road, out there knocking on doors, we’ve got maps with the areas nobody’s been yet.

"We are driving up every driveway we can, going in there, finding out what needs to be done, and getting in touch with the people who can help in whatever way they need."

Ms O’Connor says a problem is emerging with the welfare of farmhouses, as many farmers are putting all their efforts into looking after their properties.

"Farmers are still trying to look at the things which need to be done on their properties, focusing on work on farm - fencing, keeping the stock in - those sorts of things.

"When they come home in the evening, they don’t even look at the problems at home, some haven’t even picked everything up that was disturbed by the quake, they’re just too buggered.”

All Canterbury farmers have been invited to attend an earthquake meeting at Darfield High School on Thursday evening to discuss insurance issues, government response and stress management.

KEY EARTHQUAKE CONTACTS:

Earthquake Commission - 0800 652 333

                                         0800 508 765

                                         0800 326 243

Selwyn District Council - 03 347 2800

Federated Farmers:

Helpline - 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)

Field Officers - Vicky O'Connor 027 432 0218

                      - Mark Burnside 027 442 3355

Neil Stott

Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president
Phone: 03 318 8577
Mobile: 027 355 4636

Murray Rowlands

Federated Farmers North Canterbury Grain & Seeds chairperson

Mobile: 027 242 9542

Kieran Stone

Federated Farmers North Canterbury Dairy chairperson

Mobile: 027 558 8917

Simon Sankey

DairyNZ Acting Regional Leader for Canterbury

Mobile: 021 228 3446

Dugald McLean

Federated Farmers North Canterbury Meat & Fibre chairperson

Phone: 03 313 5442

Graeme Albon

Federated Farmers Bees committee member

Phone: 021 025 20328