Storm-hit farm on new tack

Keith and Hillary McNab have their crystal ball out. They estimate they lost about 800 lambs in last month's storm, but now their attention is focused on what opportunities having fewer mouths to feed will provide them and their Owaka Valley farm in the coming months.

"You've got to consider your options," Mr McNab said.

Their decision will be driven by the market, but could include beef, store lambs, grass or dairy grazing, but he expects to cut his costs and focus on looking after his young grass paddocks.

Initially, Mr McNab plans to shear his ewes with lambs at foot so he can shed his wet dry ewes and then start making silage and baleage before deciding on options.

Looking ahead was crucial, he said.

"If you added up what it has cost you, you would go insane. You have to focus on now and to get the best out of what you have got."