Drought-stricken farmers welcome rain, but concern remains

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Recent rain has given drought-stricken farmers in Canterbury a boost, but concern remains, says Hurunui mayor Marie Black.

The Hurunui Adverse Events Committee met following the wet weather over Labour Weekend, with reports of between 50mm and 100mm of rain throughout the district.

‘‘It was pretty consistent. We were lucky that it fell across the district to relieve many worried farmers," Black said.

‘‘It is also really important to recognise that while it was termed as ‘a million dollar rain’, it hasn’t changed some of the issues farmers are facing with regrassing and the cost burden.’’

She said farmers have experience 11 months of no significant rainfall, with the Government declaring a medium-scale adverse event in March.

‘‘It was a timely and welcomed rain and it was sufficient to get some growth started.

‘‘But we have gone for a long time without significant rain. It has a creeping and insidious impact on the local community and the local economy as a whole.’’

Black said more is needed to ensure creeks and groundwater are properly replenished before summer sets in.

It is a busy time of year for farmers, with new spring lambs on the ground and farmers getting ready for shearing.

Farmers will be looking to cut some hay or baleage in the coming weeks as they look to rebuild their feed supplies, she said.

‘‘We need times of warm, dry weather and there are times when we need moisture. It is hard to get the balance right.

‘‘We will continue to monitor the situation and we have mitigation steps in place.’’

Events are being planned to encourage farmers to take some time off the farm and ensure they are kept informed, she said.

The Labour Weekend rain was not good news for everybody, with the Northern A&P Association’s Rangiora Show cancelled on the Saturday morning (October 26), as the rain tumbled down.

North Canterbury Federated Farmers meat and wool chairperson and Marble Point Station farmer Sara Black said she enjoyed ‘‘staying home and watching it rain’’.

‘‘There are a few lambs around, but because it was a warm and gentle rain, they would have pulled through.’’

Many farmers reduced their ewe numbers prior to lambing, while scanning results indicated there were lower lambing percentages this year, meaning there are less mouths to feed.