Farmers hoping for sun

Canterbury farmers desperately need the sun to shine to avoid further impact on their pastures.

This week's heavy and constant downpour means green pastures are turning to mud and it's come at a time when calving and lambing is about to get into full swing.

Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair Jeanette Maxwell says further wet and grey days could impact on vital nutrients in the soil.

"You've got cattle now very heavily pregnant and ewes very heavily pregnant so just got to keep out a very watchful eye on our stock and the weather was well predicted and farmers have done the best that they can to get to the shelter that they've got."

Meanwhile Otago residents in low-lying areas are being told to keep a close watch on rivers and surface flooding.

Rainfall rates of five to seven millimetres an hour are forecast for Dunedin and North Otago between now and early tomorrow morning.

The Otago Regional Council is on alert for potential floods.

Duty flood manager Mike Goldsmith says because the ground is has been heavily saturated over the last few days, river flows can change quite quickly.

He says everyone needs to be vigilant and keep an eye on river levels.