Farming Conditions

Taranaki is looking very green and farmers are complaining that it's harder to manage a surplus of feed than a deficit. Milk production is about 7 percent ahead of last season. Artifical insemination… Audio

In the Bay of Plenty, kiwifruit orchard bees are pretty well all through their pollination work. Some places here got well over 100mm of rain this week. Contractors on the West Coast are flatstick… Audio

Mainly light winds with some sunshine and showers graced South Auckland. Ideal conditions for strong growth of outdoor crops and the transplanting of new ones. Lamb growth has slowed with the poor… Audio

Rain in Wairarapa has set the region up for December, but pumps are draining floodwater from Taieri farms in the South Island. Audio

Gisborne farmers are thrilled with the prices they're receiving for their lambs - $140 dollars straight off their mothers. Southland arable farmers need the rain to stop. Audio

Bay of Plenty's had glorious days. Silage is being cut here too, there's plenty of grass around. The West Coast is mopping up after a deluge. Queenstown had snow in the hills and then 22 degree days.

South Auckland received 50 millimetres or more of rain. It was most welcome but delayed spuds, onion and carrot harvesting. It's been a typical wet and windy October for coastal Southland. It's a… Audio

The North Island is desperately waiting for rain while snow fell on Central Otago ranges. Welcome rain arrived in many South Island regions, but more is needed. Audio

In Waikato cows are milking well, maize is going in, silage is being cut, asparagus is shooting away. Farmers in South Otago are preparing paddocks for winter crops. Audio

Welcome rain has fallen in the North and South Island. Substantial snow has fallen in Central Otago but elsewhere in the south lambs are growing well in good conditions. Audio

Waikato welcomed a drink this week and the West Coast is flush with grass. Audio

Marlborough farmers and grape growers have been revelling in the sunshine. In the North Island it's been bitterly cold in places and wet - again. Audio

Vegetable growers around Pukekohe had been contemplating turning on their irrigation systems but rain saved the day. Audio

A cold southerly has been ripping through the North Island, and despite the southerly blast in Canterbury, lambing and calving have gone very well and farmers are in good spirits. Audio

Waikato farms are very wet underfoot and farmers are waiting for a spring surge in grass growth. In Canterbury winter feed paddocks are being planted into a range of crops and spring fertiliser is… Audio

Many North Island regions are swimming in water again after heavy downpours this week, while in Central Otago apricot trees are in full blossom Audio

Waikato farms on heavy soils are pugging again following more rain. The fabulous weather pattern just keeps on coming for Canterbury and it's making lambing, calving and ground preparation for spring… Audio

Grass is growing in most North Island areas with warmer than normal soil temperatures. Farmers in Marlborough are break feeding stock and calving is in full swing on most South Island dairy farms. Audio