Lamb losses feared in Mackenzie Country snow

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 1

Lamb losses feared in Mackenzie Country snow

The drought is over for some farmers, but others, particularly in the Mackenzie Country, expect heavy lamb losses from the weekend’s storm and snow.

On Banks Peninsula, the rainfall of up to 175 mm was described as a godsend by Mr T. J. Brocherie, chairman of the Akaroa County Council. “It has relieved the drought completely. The rain has gone right into the subsoil." Mr Brocherie said that Peninsula farmers were not too concerned about the cold snap, as it was expected to clear soon. “It may have affected newly shorn sheep, but it will not deter plant growth. The over-all benefits of this rain will offset the short-term effects by far,” he said. However, the cold snap has hit hard in parts of the Mackenzie Country. In lower areas, rain reduced the snowfall considerably, and stock were able to move about a little better, said a spokesman from the Mackenzie County Council, Mr A. J. France, of Glenrock station, near Burkes Pass. “I think that most farmers down here may come out of it all right in the end," he said, “but the high country farmers are right in the middle of lambing.” Mr J. Fraser, of Mount Gerald station, at the head of Lake Tekapo, said he expected losses of up to 600 wethers. The property does not carry any ewes. It was still snowing last evening, and about 60cm of snow lay about the homestead. “Any lamb that had the misfortune to be born in the last 24 hours will be a goner," was the prediction of Mr B. Scott, of Godley Peak station, which is in the middle of lambing. Mr Scott said he could not predict loss figures but it was ‘.'all part of farming.” “It has ruined what has been a very good year for us up here,” he said. A farm adviser for the Rangiora area of North Canterbury, Mr M. Batey, said that the 17mm of rain over the week-end would not alleviate the drought for Rangiora farmers. At least

another similar rain was needed. In Mid-Canterbury, a Dorie farmer, Mr L. R. Kingsbury, said "couldn't be better if it was ordered.” Mr Kingsbury, who is chairman of the Mid-Canter-bury Federated Farmers’ meat and wool section, farms in one of the coastal areas hit hardest by drought over the last two years. The fall of about 46mm at his farm from Saturday to noon yesterday was the most in a short period that he could recall in more than two years. “It is a wonderful rain,” he said. “Farmers can now see their way to taking their lambs through to a good weight.” The week-end’s 54mm rain would be “absolutely ideal,” for the cropping farmer, said Mr A. G. Wright;, of Hinds, yesterday. Mr Wright is chairman of Federated Farmers local agriculture section. He said that while crops, had been looking well beforehand, the soil had lacked moisture reserves. The provincial president of Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers, Mr A. J. Blair, said yesterday that the 45mm recorded at his Lagmhor property had broken the drought. The rain caused few problems for local authorities. The Ashburton Borough Council’s chief engineer, Mr P. L. Jenkins, said that apart from a few sumps blocked by leaves, the borough had experienced no difficulties. The Ashburton Electric Power Board received only a few calls to restore supply. Four teen-age girls trapped by snow while tramping in the Mount Somers area were brought out by the Methven Search and Rescue group yesterday afternoon. Sergeant G. P. Kenna, of the Ashburton police, said three vehicles went out at 3 p.m. to the Woolshed Hut, behind Mount Somers, to get the girls, all from the Ash-

burton area. There was no element of danger, he said. The girls were quite safe. The party arrived back at Methven at 6.30 p.m. The girls’ parents had become concerned once heavy snow began falling in the area. The road through Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast was open last evening but motorists were warned to take extreme care in the dark, said a spokesman for the Automobile Association (Canterbury). Motorists are advised to use the Lewis Pass today. The Ministry of Works and Development reported in the morning that snow was falling on Arthur’s Pass, and later blizzard conditions were reported in the Craig-iebum-Porter’s Pass area.

From New Plymouth the Press Association reported that traffic was still heavy on the Desert Road last evening in spite of marginal conditions and uncertainty about whether the road would stay open. On the other side of Tongariro National Park, at National Park township, many people elected to stay overnight rather than risk travelling in the poor weather. Avalanches kept State Highway 94, between Te Anau and Milford, closed yesterday. Ministry of Works and Development teams went in to clear one avalanche but found others moving in several areas and, for safety reasons, the road was kept closed. The resident overseer, Mr R. A. Andrew, said he expected more avalanches overnight. In Otago, communications, transport, and power supplies disrupted in Saturday’s storm have been restored, but the possibility of flooding rivers was a threat last evening as snow in the high country began to thaw. All Otago’s main roads were back to normal.