The drought is officially broken in Taranaki. Cows graze happily on green, green grass. Photo: Supplied
Each month Country Life brings you a round-up of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.
Farmers in Northland-Te Tai Tokerau have had plenty of rain this past month - one farmer near Whangarei reckons he had close to 600 millimetres. For some it's been too much with another farmer friend of his having paddocks flooded three times in the past two weeks. Those in Dargaville, though, are only reporting 200-250mm. It's been enough to get the grass "roaring out the ground" though and farmers are rapt. Many are said to "have a smile ear to ear". Many dairy farmers finished the season early. Winter milkers are happier with more feed again. It's hard to get a vet at the moment with many busy with pregnancy scanning.
The wet has continued in Pukekohe where one grower tipped out 200mm from the rain gauge over the month. Heavy bursts of rain have messed up some fields of recently sown early onions. With weakened export demand and a significant number of good onions still in storage, he expects less onions to be sown this year. More brassicas are now being grown to supplement income somewhat. Sadly, there are reports one long-standing family grower is about to withdraw from the industry.
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Good rain has also seen conditions improve in Waikato. A farm consultant tells us there's been "fantastic pasture growth", almost double what's required - a good thing too with drought stricken farmers having to fork out for maize silage, baleage and palm kernel expeller (PKE). A good payout has helped but the rain has come too late for some dairy farmers who dried off their herds early. Even so, some will be able to finish the season comfortably. With abundant growth, it's important to watch out for nitrate poisoning. Cows are in good condition. Pregnancy scanning has been "variable "with 12-13 percent not in calf.
The kiwifruit harvest in Bay of Plenty has also been disrupted by all this rain, as you can't pick when it's wet. This has been "frustrating" but the harvest was off to such a good start things are "still on track" for most. There's been a slight increase in rejection levels - up from 10 percent - due to wind damage. The red varieties are all in, there's still a bit of gold being picked and the green harvest is well underway. Growers are happy with the crop volumes coming off and the mood is "buoyant".
This swollen creek in Northland is running 1.5 metres higher than normal. Photo: Supplied
The drought has officially broken in Taranaki, including southern and coastal parts of the region. A consultant says it's a big relief. Just yesterday she recorded 85mm of rain which has helped top up soil moisture levels and the water table. Farmers will still be wanting a bit more. With good soil temperatures, grass growth should continue next month helping bolster feed supplies ahead of winter. The good dairy payout has helped farmers to buy in feed and keep cows in good condition - most are glad the season is near an end as it's been a challenge. Pregnancy scanning is mostly done with up to 14 percent not in calf. Cull cows and empties have gone to the works, heifers are coming home and the weaners are heading out for grazing this week.
Conditions have also been "favourable" for pasture growth on the East Coast-Te Tai Rāwhiti. Most have had a steady top up of rain - about 25mm - each week and good soil temperatures too. Farmers are "stoked" about feed heading into winter and feeling "in a good place". With so many sheep and beef farms, the region is benefiting from good market prices although there's still some uncertainty about market predictability. Afforestation of farmland is still an issue, with several recently sold stations soon to be planted in pines. This season's persimmons have started hitting the shelves - it's a short harvest so good to buy now.
Warm weather and rain have been good for growing grass in Hawke's Bay, although parts of the region have been getting dry and feed levels are variable. Our contact was confident of a "good bank of feed" heading into winter and says destocking is not an issue given the good prices at the moment. It's been "tough to make a dollar" for arable farmers though, competing with imported products like maize. The last of the squash crops are coming off and the apple harvest has been good. The quality of this year's wine harvest has also been 'fantastic' and is set to make a great vintage although many growers have left grapes on the vines due to decreased demand for wine.
New season persimmons are being picked in Gisborne. Photo: Supplied
In Manawatū-Rangitikei our consultant contact has been in shorts for most of the week and even got a bit of a sunburn which is "unusual for this time of year". The fine weather has meant tractor work can be done done and new grass is being sown. Rams are coming back in and the last of the crops are being regrassed. Things are looking pretty good and "the mood is positive". Farmers are catching up on maintenance and spending on fertiliser or new gear.
Wairarapa farmers have been having a good autumn, with good feed levels and steady rainfall. A coastal contact measured 75mm of rainfall this week. Sheep and beef farmers are reporting good results from mating. With better weather and stronger markets, our farmer says there's not much to complaint about. However, the wild winds have left a bit of a mess to clean up this weekend although dams and storage tanks got a welcome top up. Duck shooters are raring to go for the opening weekend.
Horowhenua growers have been reasonably busy with good volumes coming in. The weather's been "reasonably kind", late watermelon is coming off and zucchini is keeping one grower busy. He says they've already had one frost though it didn't impact crops. Average prices are still an issue and below where they need to be for growers.
The Tasman - Te Tai o Aorere region missed the worst of this week's storm, but a good dose of rainfall has put kiwifruit harvesting on hold until the fruit dry out. Most of the Sungold crop has been picked and packed for shipping and the green is next. Yields are down a bit on last year, mainly due to hail damage last December. . Envy and Pink Lady apples are being picked and fruit quality and yields are looking good.
A hill country farmer near Blenheim in Marlborough was on top of a hill when we called. . It's not often he can see waves crashing onto the rocks, so he reckons there's a big swell out there. Recent rain has turned the land from brown to green. He's been shifting ewes who are out with the ram. Mobs are on a three to four day rotation and a herd of cattle will then clean up whatever tucker's left. Calf weaning's finished and because prices are so hot, local farmers are selling most of their calves now. Marlborough's never had such a big grape crop and here, too, a lot of fruit has been left on the ground. Pruning will start once the leaves have fallen.
Severe winds at a farm in Barrytown on the West Coast blew over trees and a post driver machine. The farmer says it was hard to get the cows in for milking, as they were hunkering down in the corner of a paddock. But on the whole it's been a great autumn with excellent grass growth. Lime and fertiliser are being applied to paddocks and culled stock are going to the freezing works. Prices have been excellent, reaching $1000 an animal. .
Our contact at Hororata in Canterbury-Waitaha has had well over 120 millimetes in the rain gauge since Wednesday and it isn't really needed. The weather bomb has cooled things down too. There's a fresh skiff of snow on the hills and frosts are likely to follow. Grass growth has been above average and milk production is said to be excellent.
A dusting of snow down to the bottom of Mount Ida has signalled the start of winter in Central Otago. Our contact in nearby Oturehua says autumn has been magic. He's never seen so much baleage being made in April. Even last weekend, the machines were out compressing and binding lucerne into tasty bales. Ewes have been crutched in preparation for the ram next week and he's hoping roast duck will be on the menu for Sunday lunch.
A dairy farmer at Edendale in Southland is relieved the district missed most of this week's storm. They don't need any more moisture in the ground. Aerating the soil to repair paddock damage from the wet spring is finally done and new grass has been sown. Next week his cow herd will be body condition-scored in preparation for drying off. He was going to clock off early to prepare for the early morning shoot.
