Rain too late to blunt Manawatū drought's damageMURRAY WILSON/STUFF With dry conditions, lighting fires is deemed to be too dangerous in places such as Waitarere Beach Rd in Horowhenua. "We expect the Manawatū to get a good dose of rain, if not heavy rain – quite a big dose of rain compared to what you've been having." Hew Dalrymple, who farms east of Bulls in Rangitīkei, said while the rain was good, it was already too late to blunt the impact on farmers. Federated Farmers Manawatū president Richard Morrison said rain would need to be sustained, and more regular, before farmers could rest easy. "It will rain eventually, and that way you've got some cows milking when the rain comes and the grass grows.

Source: Stuff January 02, 2018 04:52 UTC