There’s no let up for sheep farmers in Southland despite the worst of the weather passing the region.

Weekend snow decimated new lamb numbers, and Federated Farmers Southland President Rod Pemberton told Country99TV that the biggest concern now is the bitterly cold winds hammering the province.

“The problems are certainly still there, as big if not worse than before.”

“Because of the wet, and the incredibly cold winds and sleet that came through last night, it was probably the worst case scenario really with the weather.

“Because the paddocks are so wet, we’re hearing from guys who are just having problems getting around the place.”

North Island farmers haven’t escaped the weather either, as storms batter farms from Coromandel to Wairarapa, cutting power, downing trees and causing flash flooding.

Waitotara Valley sheep and beef farmer Barb Evans told Country99TV she’s already lost plenty of new lambs on her hill country property.

“Previous to this week, the weather was still actually quite warm despite the rain.

“But now the temperature has dropped and the wind’s come in, it’s more of a concern with the numbers we’re losing at the moment.”

Ms Evans says the biggest concern now is landslides.

“Mostly the concerns for stock is landslides, being on land when it slips.”

“I’ve heard of a number of properties around the place where they have lost stock through landslides, which is a real concern.

“Moving stock though, is really hard, because of the wet they can easily slip.”

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