A blessing and “proof that Santa is real” was how Gisborne’s farming leaders have described the rain that fell across the region this week.
Most parts of Tairāwhiti got good rainfall out of the southerly system that persisted for several days, with a yellow MetService rain watch over the region only lifting on Thursday evening.
“The rain this week has been a blessing and ironically I was initiating a drought meeting with MPI, GDC Hydrology, Beef and Lamb, iwi, Hort Nz and Forestry when the rain started on Tuesday morning,” said Federated Farmers provincial president Charlie Reynolds.
“It has been a brilliant rain with the majority being gentle ground soaking rain, with the occasional heavy downpour to fill house water tanks and run off to fill dams in the area.”
He said it was “fantastic” that the rain fell over Wairoa and Hawke’s Bay as well, as it would boost markets and farmers.
“I am happy with what we have received rain-wise to consider holding off any drought call from an above-ground view at this point,” Reynolds said.
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“However it will be interesting to see what data comes from GDC hydrology from this rain and any impact/relief to the waterways and aquifers that supply those who irrigate.”
Feds national board member Whangara farmer Toby Williams put it like this - “There is proof that Santa is real, if you are a farmer, cropper on the coast.”
The rain had come at the perfect time, as the district was starting to dry out in a significant way, he said.
“We will be well set up for the summer now with ample grass and dams and waterways having had a decent top-up,” Williams said.
“It’s just what farmers have really needed with sheep and beef pricing looking to remain at good levels.
“For those with crops in the ground that have struggled for the last few years because of wet feet, the rain will set them up to hopefully flower and set good seed and fruit.”
He said there was a touch of irony with the rain too.
“Tanks are full of water again for the summer which will also give the water truck drivers some downtime to enjoy with family at Christmas,” he said.
“Overall, it’s a real shot in the arm for our district and will enable many farmers to have a well-earned and well-deserved break this summer without the stress of feed levels weighing on them.”
Corson Grain procurement manager Richard Hyland said the rain was just what the region’s grain maize crops needed.
“It will carry us through into the New Year,” Hyland said.
“The crops were looking good but some in particular were needing the moisture.”
LeaderBrand’s Gordon McPhail said rainfall like this was always “bittersweet”.
“While we needed it, crops will benefit and will set them up well, however; it is a lot of rain (over many days) at a crucial time of the year for us,” McPhail said.
The company is starting its sweetcorn and squash harvest and looks to provide salads to its customers before Christmas, making this one of its busiest weeks according to McPhail.
“We invest heavily in our water infrastructure and a dry season is ideally what we need, which we have had up until now with some fantastic crops out there both timing and volume-wise, something that couldn’t have come soon enough after some very tough years and trading environments,” he said.
“We’re excited about the season and summer ahead.”
Tim Tietjen, the region’s kiwifruit spokesman, said the rain had set growers up for the rest of the growing season.
“Soil moisture probes are now reading full and plenty of water is flowing down the Waipaoa River for irrigation,” Tietjen said.
“With how dry things were getting I’m reluctant to say we don’t want rain. However, we have probably had enough for now.
“Growers would like to be able to knock the last few jobs off before Christmas in some dry weather and come back refreshed in the New Year.”
