``A lot of platforms that cows stand on have been smashed so [farmers] can't milk their cows which is a massive problem. Smith has a friend on a farm at Waiau whose house and dairy sheds were wrecked. North Canterbury Federated Farmers dairy chairperson Michael Woodward said the community was rallying together and farmers in unaffected areas had leant three generators, which he was taking to Culverden. Farmers were also sharing cow sheds and relying on generators. Miles Hurrell, Fonterra's Farm Source chief operating officer, said the Auckland-based co-operative will contact farmers directly if that was required.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 14, 2016 07:01 UTC