Rain came at the best time for North Otago’s farmers
Released 02 Jun 2010
With wild weather still battering parts of New Zealand, North Otago's farmers are appreciative that last week's severe weather came with sufficient warning and at the best possible time in the circumstances.
"There was a lot of rain, between 280-340mm of it in fact, but the damage was pretty minor," says Ross Ewing, Federated Farmers North Otago provincial president.
"We had plenty of warning that this weather event was coming, so farmers moved their stock to areas not at risk of flooding. As far as I know not one animal was lost.
"There was some damage to fences, roads and a bridge approach. We've got a build up of debris and rubbish around the river flats too.
"While farmers are very much in winter mode, we're really lucky this rain fell now and not in two months time when calving and lambing will be underway.
"So I think everyone's relieved about how turned out in the end. We had a heavy bout of rainfall, up to a third of a metre, but it fell consistently over a five day period and the ground was able to absorb it.
"Rain is always welcome here in North Otago as only a matter of weeks ago, we were in the clutches of drought. It rams home the need for water storage.
"I'd like to congratulate North Otago's farmers for their resilience. We all pulled together as a community and fared very well given what we faced.
"We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the MetService who got this event spot on.
"I'd like to single out for special mention our local authorities and roading contractors. It was a difficult period under trying conditions and they did a very fine job for the entire community, not just us farmers.
"We're a lot better off than we were back in March so I can look forward to a great spring," Mr Ewing concluded.
For further comment:
Ross Ewing, Federated Farmers North Otago provincial president, 03 439 5292, 027 485 1362
