Brutal late-winter snowstorms across southern New Zealand have killed more than half of all the new lambs born this season.

 G

New Zealand sheep farmers say 

the blizzards "couldn't have come at a worse time."

Oh gosh, how sad and tragic! 

Brutal late-winter snow-storms across southern New Zealand have killed more than half of all the new lambs born this season.  Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson told Newstalk ZB radio at least 500,000 lambs have perished.  Many adult sheep have also succumbed to the blizzards, and dairy farmers say their milk production has plummeted as well. The most recent blizzard came at the height of lambing season. Farmers said there was little they could do to save their flocks since moving sheep when they’re lambing brings the danger of smothering and other conditions that could prove fatal. They say they’re hoping for a rapid snowmelt.

(source: Earthweek: A Diary of our Planet; The News Gazette)
http://www.earthweek.com/2010/ew101001/ew101001d.html