There Was a Drought...

The paddocks now are green, the grass lush and plentiful. A little difficult to recall, now, that only a few weeks ago Nelson province was in the grip of a drought. Heavy rain fell at the end of February, the first significant fall in 71 days. Farmers and market gardeners, not to mention home gardeners, were badly hit by the drought. Many had irrigation systems, but more than one well ran dry and pumping costs were high.

A familiar scene in the province, (as in many other parts of New Zealand), sheep on bare, stubbly paddocks.

Assistant greenkeeper at Green acres Golf Club, Geoff Starling, eyes the gathering rain clouds with hope.

Irrigation was the answer, but it was costly and time consuming

Many farmers fed out winter stocks of hay and ensilage

Slim pickings for sheep

Norm Eden, of Hope, displays swedes he has grown (the one at right has received fairly intensive irrigation).

Irrigation was the only answer, but, for men like John Ching, who works on Alan Andrews's farm, it was hard and constant work.

Water races were very low towards the end of February and stock watering became quite a problem for some

Another irrigation move

While brother Fergus shifts the irrigation pipes. Rod O'Connor, of Appleby, makes sure his stack of bated hay is secure against any rain that might fall (it poured that night).

Everyone helps, and little Marie O'Connor is happy to help dad with the irrigation chores.

What's this - a happy farmer amid the drought? Alan Russ was not very put out by the drought. He had planted a crop of maize and this, with reasonable watering, gave him a great stand-by crop for his stock.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 113 : April 4, 1970

There Was a Drought...