Hard-hit high country farmers defy the elements

High country farmers are responding to their worst year in recent memory with a spirit of defiance.

Crippling droughts, feed shortages and soaring commodity prices have made 2008 an annus horribilis for high country farmers.

But they refuse to give up, even as the skies open to add a series of heavy snow dumps to their concerns.

Several huge farms span the rolling hills near Moawhango, east of Taihape.

Their elevation makes them particularly susceptible to snowfalls, the biggest threat to newborn lambs.

But Mark Haynes, who runs the 7500-hectare Ohinewarua Station, said there was a spirit of defiance amongst local farmers.