23 Apr 2014

Some Waikato farms still need rain

8:10 am on 23 April 2014

The recent wet weather has produced mixed results for farmers in Waikato.

The region was in the midst of a dry spell, the worst of which was in the northern and eastern parts.

President of Waikato Federated Farmers James Houghton says those two areas have received some rain, but not enough.

"Some farmers have received a good amount, others very little rain, about 20 to 25 mms and they are still really struggling.

"Basically the grass is just starting to grow on most farms, so the recovery is about three weeks to a month away".

Mr Houghton says calving could be a challenge for affected farmers if there isn't sufficient rain within the next few weeks.

Kaikoura recovering

Meanwhile a sheep and cattle farmer near Kaikoura says farmers there are doing OK after being hit by flooding and high winds as the remnants of Cyclone Ita swept through over Easter weekend.

Derrick Millton farms on the south bank of the Clarence River, about 40 kms north of Kaikoura - he's also involved in the local Rural Support Trust.

Most roads have been cleared of fallen trees.

Most roads have been cleared of fallen trees. Photo: SUPPLIED / Shona Rathgen

He says farmers have come together to help each other out after the storm and there's no need for an adverse event to be declared.

"It's just not necessary. As much as it's well intended, I think that we've just got to battle away with this one.

"And it's quite recoverable, you know we don't want to be a special case at this stage, we're completely under control. Nice for people to think we do need the Ministry for Primary Industries to step in but I think we're a long way from that."

On Tuesday Labour Party Kaikoura candidate, Janette Walker, says the impacts of the storm are very similar to Manawatu during flooding there in 2004.

She said the Government needs to step in and help by declaring the storm an adverse event which would mobilise support and help the farmers clean-up.