Farming Conditions

Each week our Country Life reporters check out the latest from farms and orchards around the country.

South Waikato had thunder rolling around the district at the weekend but the rain was very choosy… Audio

Around Pukekohe, warm dry days have continued and growers have maintained the costly task of irrigating outdoor crops. Harvest is progressing well in Canterbury but, despite the dry weather, it has… Audio

Around Pukekohe, the widespread drought continues to make life difficult for the outdoor vegetable industry. A dairy farmer near Balclutha in South Otago is in flood recovery mode. His farm is… Audio

The big dry continued in Northland this week with not a spot of rain to relieve drought conditions. Flooding in South Otago is starting to subside. A sheep and beef farmer near Balclutha recorded 185… Audio

Hawkes Bay's grape vines are enjoying the dry, hot summer but most areas are hoping for rain. Audio

Taranaki could be heading for its driest January in 40 years and central Otago's waiting for its first drop of rain for the year. Audio

There was flooding to all the main alpine fed rivers in Canterbury last weekend while in many parts of the North Island paddocks and orchards are drying out. Some welcome rain elsewhere in the North… Audio

Waikato's become a bit dry in the past week but good rain, forecast for the weekend, should help set farms up well for summer. A hop grower at Tapawera in the Nelson region says the focus this week… Audio

Hawkes Bay's cherries are being picked and Southland and South Otago have finally had the chance to dry out... Audio

Welcome rain has set many farms up for the summer. It hasn't really warmed up in the far south and grass is struggling to grow. Marlborough has finally transitioned from what has been a fickle spring… Audio

Welcome rain has set farms up for the summer but hail in Hawke's Bay and Pukekohe has caused some fruit damage. It hasn't really warmed up in the far south and grass is struggling to grow. Audio

Hot temperatures have seen pasture growth bolt away over much of the North Island. In the South it's been warm too. Farmers in Canterbury have been planting kale for grazing next winter and hopefully… Audio

In Bay of Plenty pasture's been bolting away and the good quality feed's been putting weight on cattle and lambs. Dairy farmers have finally put their silage wagons away in Canterbury and yearling… Audio

In Waikato asparagus production is down significantly because of cooler wetter conditions this spring. Apple orchards in the Nelson/Motueka region are coming to the end of flowering. There has been… Audio

In Northland it has been an exceptional week in terms of pasture growth on the back of some good rain. Canterbury has had another variable week of weather with only a couple of good days in which to… Audio

Warm wet weather in the North Island will give grass growth a boost and the West Coast of the South Island could do the chance to dry out! Audio

This week unsettled spring weather included damaging hail in Hawkes Bay, hard frosts in Marlborough and it's been wetter than wet on the West Coast.  Audio

Blustery winds, spring chills, a touch of frost and for some a little too much rain. It's been a mixed bag, in other words typical spring weather, around the country this week. Audio

The West Coast had a good dollop or rain this week but generally there's been fine spring weather around the country which has got grass pulsing and helped lamb survival rates. With buds bursting on… Audio