Free State needs more rain to break the grip of drought

12 Jan 2017

Farmers in the Free State are grateful for every drop of rain. Some of the western parts of the Free State measured between 100mm and 150mm between 1 and 8 January 2017, according to Johan van den Berg, climatologist at Santam Agriculture, however, rainfall was limited to only a part of the western Free State. Rainfall over the province varies between no rain, in a part of the eastern Free State, to 150mm. (See the map compiled by Van den Berg.)

Free State needs more rain to break the grip of drought

Drought conditions still prevail over especially the southern, south-eastern, south-western and western Free State, with areas like Smithfield, Rouxville, Dewetsdorp, Zastron and VanStadensrus that only measured between 1mm and 25mm.

For many farmers in the southern Free State, last week’s rain was the first significant rain that they received since the onset of the 2016/17 summer season. Some of these parts have endured drought conditions since 2013, and thus still need more significant rainfall to break the grip of the drought. Although rain brought relief over dry parts, there is still a need to feed livestock, as in some instances it will take three to five years for grazing to recover.

Since October 2015, Free State Agriculture (FSA) has assisted our farmers with drought relief, and currently need additional funds to purchase feed/drought pellets or for the transport of feed. A specific need for feed pellets for sheep exists. The organisation has received requests for assistance from the following areas: Rouxville, Dewetsdorp, Smithfield, Reddersburg, Edenburg, Trompsburg, Springfontein, Jagersfontein, Phillippolis, Fauresmith, Koffiefontein, Petrusburg, Dealesville, Boshof, Hertzogville and Brandfort.

Nick Roux via Wikimedia Commons

Since October 2015 FSA has assisted with the following drought relief:

• 76,497km - Total kilometers that feed has been transported in the Free State

• 13,356 - Number of feed bales that have been delivered

• 20 - Tonnes of oats for feed delivered

• 18,238 - Number of bags of feed/licks allocated (donations)

• R2,211,373.40 - Amount spent on the purchase of drought pellets and the baling of maize stover

• 14,269 - Number of bags of drought pellets purchased by FSA

• R1,319,699.27 - Transport costs paid by FSA

• 3,400 - Liters of mineral and vitamin syrup distributed (donated by AfriVet)

According to Van den Berg’s forecast, good rain (between 50mm and 100mm) can be expected over parts of the country over the short term – the rest of January and the first half of February. His report is available here.