Last week, the Owaka Valley farmer was working 14-hour days to save his livestock from perishing in the most fierce spring storm in living memory, and while he does not yet know the extent of his losses, he has decided there is little merit in dwelling on the storm's toll.
It's not that he is heartless, but Mr Wilson, like many South Otago farmers, accepts what has happened and chooses to look forward.
About 20 volunteers yesterday visited about 350 farmers, many of whom were humbled and a little embarrassed to be offered a food basket, but welcomed the chance to talk to someone about the impact of the storm.
Many of those visited said they did not need help and commented there were others worse off than them, but from conversations with the volunteers, it was obvious some farmers were not coping and a small number would be visited today by community support organisations.
Project organiser Ken Algie said the exercise was worthwhile, if only because it identified some farmers who needed help personally and practically, such as with stock feed.
Mr Algie said many of the about 350 farmers spoken to reported losses of 10% to 15% of the total number of lambs expected.
Not all areas of the Clutha district were visited yesterday, but organisers identified Hillend north of Balclutha and Circle Hill north of Milton as areas particularly hard-hit.
Mr Algie said a similar number of farmers would be visited today.
Despite the farmers' stoic demeanour, the storm obviously hit them hard.
"I've never felt so helpless," Mr Wilson said.
"Normally, a storm only goes on for two or three days, then you can get on with it. This went on for seven and a-half days."
He does not know the extent of his losses but he collected 35 dead lambs from one paddock of 60 ewes carrying twin and triplet lambs.
Mr Wilson said that during the storm he was out on the lambing beat at 6.30am and, except for a 30-minute lunch break, was not back inside until 7pm - only to spend another hour or two after tea tending to ewes and lambs.
In just one day last week, the Owaka Lions collected 1000 dead lambs from farms in the valley.
Hamish McDougall said an older farmer in the Owaka district described the storm as the worst in 55 years.
He collected 300 dead lambs off his Owaka Valley farm last week and had not yet ventured near a mob of 1000 ewes lambing on a logged hill block which, despite the shelter, would have been under snow.
Despite his loss, Mr McDougall said there were others worst off than him and he, too, was looking to the future.
"You can't let it get to you."
The BNZ yesterday announced a package to help farmers in South Otago and Southland.
Tony Arthur, head of agribusiness, BNZ Partners, said in a press release the bank was offering help for those with pressing working capital requirements.
Farmers' local Agribusiness Partners could approve temporary assistance of up to $100,000 for weather-related costs with no application fees.
The bank was also suspending break fees on deposits for those needing access to emergency funds.
In addition, requests for overdraft extensions would be charged at base rates and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
