Overberg Rains Boost Dam Levels, But Farmers Face Challenges

The recent heavy rains in the Overberg, combined with more expected precipitation for the remainder of July, bring promising news for dam levels. However, the local farming community faces significant challenges.

June was marked by intense heat and minimal rainfall, whereas July has presented a stark contrast. Rojeanne de Wet, spokesperson for Agri Western Cape, explains that the previous month’s lack of rain and higher temperatures have been particularly harsh on fruit farmers. Fruit trees require colder conditions to enter dormancy and ensure proper flowering and fruit production for the coming season.

“Cold units are essential for fruit trees to enter dormancy and for the subsequent season’s flowering and fruit setting. Therefore, it is crucial that our fruit-growing regions in the Western Cape experience adequate cold days and nights,” says de Wet.

Despite the slightly delayed onset of winter, which may not drastically affect production, fruit growers are currently not facing water restrictions as they rely on irrigation. Nonetheless, winter rains are crucial for replenishing the larger storage dams that are essential for the summer months.

The heavy rainfall has had adverse effects on canola farmers in the Overberg. One farmer from the Napier area reported that the excessive rain has hampered the growth of wheat seedlings, which require sunlight to thrive. Additionally, the accessibility of fields has become problematic. “We need to apply herbicides, but the inability to access the fields risks a weed infestation,” he added.

The rain and cold weather have not only impacted grain farmers but have also posed challenges for livestock farmers. “The cold and wet conditions are detrimental to lambs, necessitating extra measures to protect them from these harsh elements,” he noted.

As for the dam levels after the recent rains: