The recovery from Christchurch’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake on Saturday is continuing, and in rural Canterbury damage reports on infrastructure are still emerging.

Dairy factories in the region are back up and running, and despite early problems with power and shed damage, dairy farmers have been able to continue milking.

The scale of the damage beneath the surface is worsening however.

North Canterbury Dairy chairperson Kieran Stone says while surface cracks were thought to be as deep as the damage went, underground some farms may be beyond help.

Mr Stone says many locals have had their spirits lifted by retired farmers coming back to the area to lend a hand.

Federated Farmers is offering widespread support, but assistance is being made difficult by the myriad problems facing farmers.

President Don Nicolson is calling for a centralised help line for farmers to manage all their calls.

And any farmer affected by the earthquake wishing to contact the Feds for help should call 0800 FARMING. That’s 0800 327 646.

Canterbury’s all important water supply is being closely monitored.

There are reports some wells have dried up, or are spouting water after being ripped apart by the quake.

Mid-Canterbury grain chair David Clark is urging farmers to test the water pressure on their farms.

Mr Clark says the damage to water infrastructure is unprecedented, and the extent won’t be known until all farmers test their supply.