Rain good, but not enough

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 1

Rain good, but not enough

Good, but not enough, was the general reaction of farmers to the rain throughout Canterbury yesterday. Any rain is good rain for South Canterbury farmers, but there would have to be many more downpours before it significantly affected the drought, according to the president of South Canterbury Federated Farmers, Mr Donald Simpson. On his farm at Albury, 46km north-west of Timaru, 11mm of rain fell yesterday. Farms nearer the coast received considerably less, he said.

It was very cold, with snow at low levels, last evening, Mr Simpson said.

The rain would enable cropping farmers, particularly those growing wheat, to cultivate their paddocks. The soil had been too dry to: do so, he said.

At least a month or so of rain was needed to restore the soil to good condition.

The water table in South Canterbury was still at a “dangerously low” level, said Mr Simpson. A Timaru Ministry of Agriculture officer, Mr Bruce Binnie, said that Timaru got little rain, although inland there was a significant fall. In Christchurch, 10.3 mm of rain fell up to 6 p.m. yesterday—the first measurable rain in just over three weeks (since April 21), according to the Christchurch Meteorological Office. Light flooding of roads was caused by leaves blocking drains. Yesterday, most South Island ski-fields got a. light dusting of snow. Overnight travellers between Tekapo and the Her-

mitage were advised by the Automobile Association yesterday to fit chains to their vehicles.

The A.A. reported that about 60mm of snow fell in the area yesterday afternoon.

Most farmers and Ministry of Agriculture officials throughout Canterbury were concerned that the rain could be followed by cold weather, which would inhibit growth. The North Canterbury Federated Farmers president, Mr Fred Bull, said that the cold could stop any growth, but the rain had at least wet the soil which would help wheat cultivators.

The steady rain which began early and continued through yesterday may help to ease the burden of dryland farmers in MidCanterbury.

At least 12mm of rain had been recorded across Ashburton County by mid-day yesterday, breaking what has been a crippling, long and dry autumn for farmers, particularly those without irrigation.

Even those with irrigation from the river schemes have had a difficult summer and autumn with restrictions because of low flows. The chairman of MidCanterbury Federated Farmers meat and wool section, Mr Kevin Geddes, who farms at Arundel, said that 14mm had been recorded up to yesterday morning and the rain was still falling. He said it was “good rain”, being fairly consistent since the previous night. Little Peel, the nearest

mountain to his farm, was covered with snow to low levels. The rain would help any turnip and green crops farmers had sown for winter feed, said Mr Geddes, though it would only “freshen up” pastures this late in the growing season. Nearer the coast, Mr Lyn Kingsbury, of Dorie, said 12mm had been recorded up to mid-day. He was hoping for “a bit more” and if the temperature remained relatively mild some good growth could be expected, he said.