9 Jan 2009

$1m damage to crops from hail

4:29 pm on 9 January 2009

Damage to crops from a hail storm in Canterbury on Saturday afternoon is estimated to be worth more than $1 million.

Hail stones the size of golf balls carved a trail of destruction 6-8km wide from Kirwee, west of Christchurch, to Amberley, about 50km kilometres north of the city.

Federated Farmers spokesperson Paul Stackhouse said the storm destroyed any crops in its path. Many crops were only a couple of weeks away from being harvested.

The organisation said some farmers have lost their entire year's income.

Mr Stackhouse said the loss will mean feed and grain for the coming winter will be scarce, which will inevitably cause prices to rise.