Lightning kills 12 sheep on an Ōhingaiti farm
After a weekend away, Ōhingaiti farmers Margaret and Bruce Goodwin made a shocking discovery while checking their paddocks last Monday.
Twelve sheep carcases, consisting of three ewes and nine lambs, lay beneath a totara tree.
All lay spread out around the tree, and it was believed they were struck by lightning after taking shelter during a large thunderstorm.
Margaret Goodwin said she had consulted her local vet and fellow farmers around their community, but it was a first for them.
They believed the sheep were resting up against the trunk of the tree, which conducted the lightning bolt. ‘‘It was just devastating.
‘‘We wondered if they’d eaten something bad or if they’d been attacked, but there were no lacerations or bullet holes.
‘‘They also ate the same food as the cows and they’re alive and well.’’
The Goodwins had spent the weekend in Feilding attending a motor racing event at Manfeild.
They’d been told about the enormous thunderstorm over Ōhingaiti.
Margaret Goodwin said the sight of the sheep dead beneath the tree was quite upsetting. ‘‘We were gobsmacked. We’ve been farming here for 50 years and we’ve never even heard of stock being struck by lightning.’’
Federated Farmers Manawatū / Rangitīkei’s meat and wool chairperson, Ian Strachan, said instances of stock getting struck by lightning were possible but extremely uncommon.
‘‘It’s certainly something I’ve never come across personally.
‘‘Sheep are very similar to human beings in their behaviour related to the weather. When it’s hot they’ll try to find some shade, and when there’s bad weather they’ll take shelter where they can.’’
Strachan also noted the severe financial cost a loss like that would be for a farmer, with more than $1000 in stock dead.