METHODOLOGY
Farmers from Waiau to Fairlie and including Banks Peninsula were either interviewed or sent a postal questionnaire to gain information on the 1992 snows and how they coped during these snows. The interview and postal questionnaires were designed using a similar format but with more detail in the interview questionnaire. Interview respondents (N = 34) were nominated by Federated Farmers and District Council Snow co-ordinators on the basis of being representative of the district and of practising good snow management techniques during the July or August snows. Farmers from the high country, hill country, downs and plains were represented. Because of differences in altitude, climate and management, Banks Peninsula was treated as a separate district in the analysis. Most districts were represented including Parnassus, Waiau, Culverden, Broomfield, Oxford, Lees Valley, Sheffield, Hororata, Windwhistle, Ashburton Gorge, Winchmore, Carew, Rangitata, Woodbury, Beautiful Valley and Fairlie basin. With the exception of one farm at Rangitata all farms were west of the main south road.
Postal questionnaires containing the same questions as interview questionnaires but without information on finance, personal details and aspects of farm buildings, tracks or vehicles were sent to 280 farmers in the above districts. Farmers were obtained randomly by selecting approximately 1: 4 names from the 1992 Snow Relief Trust applications. A total of 132 responses were received which represented a 47% return. Only 109 responses were analysed due to incomplete or late returns.
The survey sought information on the physical aspects of the farm including altitude, area and rainfall. Frequency of snowfall and depth of snow during the July and August snowstorms were also covered. Data on livestock losses during the snow was sought including information on the cause and location of death, together with the breed and class of stock. The impact of the snows on livestock production, including wool quality and animal health, was included as was supplementary feeding and the usefulness of shelter. Also included in the survey were questions relating to the actions taken during the snows and changes farmers would make in the event of a future snow. Information on the usefulness of the snow relief centres was covered together with farmer's opinions on the appropriateness of services offered by these centres. Farmers were asked to list their key recommendations for coping a future snow.
The combined interview and postal questionnaires totalled 143 (high country 20, hill country 37, Banks Peninsula 14, downs 37, plains 35) which were analysed either as one set of data to provide more reliable estimates on physical details such as snow depth, stock losses and livestock production changes or regionally to account for differences in location and management
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
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