Fraser Horrocks' Kakatahi farm is in good heart, but the one 20km away at Aberfeldy is too dry.
There have been a few good showers of rain in the wider Whanganui region, but they have been very local. They've also tended to be inland.
Mr Horrocks' Kakatahi farm got 24mm of rain on Tuesday, and 5mm on Wednesday. It's doing okay because its moisture level was boosted by a series of thunderstorms in November and December.
In Mangaweka Jim Rainey's property got 55mm on Tuesday and 18mm on Wednesday.
"It was never really in drought around here," he said.
Marton had rain at midday and again at 4pm on Wednesday, and there was a bit of surface flooding in Pukepapa Rd at about 4.30.
"It pelted down. We had amazing thunder and lightning. I know a lot of people were incredibly appreciative at having their tanks filled up," Rangitikei councillor Cath Ash said.
She couldn't recall rain being as localised in the past as it is now.
Meanwhile Whanganui town has had a scant 1.4mm of rain during the last seven days, according to MetService. Coastal Whanganui is in the midst of a medium-scale drought event and fire danger is very high.
But, according to the MetService, there's more rain coming.
Forecasters predict heavy rain and gales for northern and central New Zealand on Friday. Taranaki and Tongariro National Park could get more than 25mm of rain an hour, and Taihape could get northeast gales.
Organisers of the Tira Hoe Waka canoe journey from Taumarunui to Whanganui are taking those predictions seriously. They've organised two safety sessions - one on the water and one on land.
The paddlers are due to get on the water on Friday.
The prediction for Whanganui town is periods of rain across the next two days - and some of it could be heavy.