Heavy rain in the Gisborne area has left many farmers counting the cost of damage to their land.

More than 300 millimetres fell in some areas over 24 hours, ruining many farmers’ crops.

Corn, maize and squash grower Frank Bryant says all his ground crops have been destroyed, despite the downpour coming early in the growing season.

“Nothing much that’s been planted will probably survive. It’s early days for us, it’s not like 2005 when the first floods were on Labour Day.

"It means we’ve got the opportunity to replant these crops hopefully if and when it dries up.

"It won’t germinate, or the stuff that has germinated will be dead already.”

Federated Farmers Gisborne President Hamish Cave says livestock farmers won’t be as badly hit.

“It’s been so even, it’s been a heavy dumping but it’s been very steady.

"240 millimetres is 24 hours is a big difference to that same amount in 48 hours.

"It’s still raining but it’s fairly gentle, the worst worries will be for crop farmers, and those on steeper country [where] slips could break out.”