North Islanders Crying Out For More Rain

NEW ZEALAND - Rainfall over southern regions is now causing flooding but many north island farmers have remained in drought.
calendar icon 24 April 2014
clock icon 1 minute read

“While you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a drought breaker, Kaipara’s Pouto Peninsula received just 23mm and much less than that fell to the west of Dargaville," said Federated Farmers of New Zealand spokesperson Katie Milne.

"This is incredible, given elsewhere in Northland, upwards of 125mm fell."

Mrs Milne said that, while recent moisture has been a relief for many, it has actually caused flooding and crop damage on the South Island. 

Dairy stronghold Waikato has begun 'pulling out' of soil moisture deficits after 60 mm of rain over four days, she added. 

“In the South Island we need sunshine because things are too wet," explained Mrs Milne.

"It is not quite an embarrassment of riches because with farming you need the right balance of sun and rain since one without the other either dehydrates pasture or literally drowns it."

TheCattleSite News Desk

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.