Media Release

FREEPHONE 0800 327 646 I WEBSITE WWW.FEDFARM.ORG.NZ 

17 October 2013

Wanganui drenching has a silver lining

While some Wanganui homeowners, businesses and farmers have been affected by this week’s torrential downpour, Federated Farmers believes there is a silver lining.

“We are sympathetic to those who have suffered loss and damage from one of the biggest rainfall events I can recall,” says Brian Doughty, Federated Farmers Wanganui provincial president.

“Unlike 2004, it seems the worst effects seem to have been concentrated on those farms located around the Whangaehu and Turakina Rivers, between the coast and SH3.

“If farmers need help can we encourage them to call me or to leave their details on Federated Farmers Adverse Events line - 0800 376 844.

“From the reports I have received for most farms, it seems damage is limited to farm access, tracks and culverts.   There will be some fences that will be mending too.

“With widespread surface flooding, the biggest practical issue farmers will likely face going to be with docking.

“Yet there is a silver lining in this rain event. 

“Given we’re midway through spring, things were starting to get on the dry side.  The volume of rain we received will have topped up ground water and boosted soil moisture.

“With memories of drought from earlier this year still weighing on our minds, it is good to see rain, albeit, slow and steady is better than fast and furious. 

“Many farmers, me included, will hope that this could get them through to early summer at the very least,” Mr Doughty concluded.

ENDS

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