Heavy rains also occurred in Bothaville and showers of as much as 50mm have been recorded so far. Maize producer Ben Otto from the farm Groot Brittanje said he measured 34mm this morning. The rain was not enough to start planting, but it added to the depleted soil moisture content.
“This rain also made it possible for us to start with the preparations for planting. We do, however, need considerably more rain to be able to plant,” he said. A previous survey determined that farmers in the western Free State and North West were unable to start planting because of the depleted soil moisture contents.
