Farmers around the Wyndham and Kaiwera areas hardest hit by last week's storm will be the first to be visited today by a team offering support and food parcels.
Between 50 and 70 representatives from various agricultural-related businesses and services would "hit the roads" from 8am today, Federated Farmers Southland provincial president Rod Pemberton said.
The aim was to let individual farmers know support was out there and give them not only information but a sympathetic ear.
"We're taking out 1200 food parcels - how many we'll have left we're not sure."
It was hoped by the end of tomorrow they might have a clearer picture of how much damage the snow and wind had done, Mr Pemberton said.
Rural Support Trust Southland spokeswoman Janet Gregory said it was the first phase of their assistance package for farmers in South Otago and Southland.
"We want to identify the needs of the farming community and develop relief measures that meet those specific needs."
Mr Pemberton said the bitterly cold weather eased a little during the weekend and the forecast for this week was for "typical spring weather".
Federated Farmers president Don Nicholson estimated farmers are facing losses of more than $50 million after snow, icy rain, and chilling winds last week.
He told NZPA there had been a 20% to 25% drop in milk collection, and about 500,000 lambs had been killed by the storm.
Some farmers lost pregnant or lactating ewes to metabolic illnesses as they ran short of feed just as the animals were in most need of good nutrition.
Mr Nicholson said the food parcel drive would also help identify the immediate needs of farmers, such as providing labour and machinery to clean up the dead animals.
Farmers would later get advice on what they could do to get back on their feet, he said.
"How ever you look at this, there is no way these farmers are going to get through this year without needing a lot of luck on their side and perhaps new thinking."
MetService was predicting strong gusty northwest winds with scattered rain for the beginning of the week, with a southerly developing on Thursday.