Friday, 08 August 2014 17:00

Heavy snow comes at bad time

Written by Pamela Tipa

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THE HEAVY snow showers falling in Southland and Otago have come at a bad time with most dairy farmers well into calving.

"There are a lot of people in Otago and Southland that are in the thick of calving, which will prove challenging with temperatures dropping to zero degrees," says Russell MacPherson.

"Whilst the snow is blanketing pastures it's the wind chill that is really going to test us. The bitter chill cuts through you and new born calves won't be able to cope for long in these conditions.

"Farmers know what they are doing and they will be busy feeding out to stock and pushing them to shelter to get them through. Whilst the wind chill has died down in the past hour the main focus will be rushing the new born calves to the calving shed to keep them warm.

"Sheep farmers will be reasonably thankful that they are not lambing just yet and still on winter rotation," MacPherson concluded.

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