South Canterbury farmers say fences damaged, ground saturated

A farmer puts out extra feed on a farm north of Timaru on Saturday morning after heavy rain overnight

Some South Canterbury farmers are stranded on their properties after heavy rain washed out roads and damaged culverts.

While there were no reports of stock being put at risk yet there was concern about those lambing and calving, and many farmers had reported wind-related damage.

Southburn farmer Jim Anderson, who was looking after his son's property between Timaru and Waimate, said his stock had not been affected but trees had crashed into fences due to high winds.

ederated Farmers branch chairman Mark Adams said farmers always prepared for bad weather and made sure they had extra feed and shelter for stock in case it was required.

Anderson said there might be a few farmers with early lambs which would be at risk, but none of his own stock had been lost.