Photo: RNZ / Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Exceptionally wet conditions in Te Tai Tokerau-Northland have led to lower-than-average grass growth rates. A wet summer followed by well over 400 millimetres in May, which ceased to ease through June, has saturated soils. Now paddocks aren't responding as they usually would to nitrogen. Daily dry matter produced is down between 10 and 15 kilos from an average of 40 kilograms a day. It's not all bad, however, with early calving nearing the halfway mark and gaining good results. There's rising concern around farm costs and the dairy payout for next year.
June was notable for a week and a half of fine, cool, rainless weather around Tamaki Makaurau- Auckland in between the wet at the start and end of the month. Consequently, growers were very busy during the dry period putting crops in the ground, even though it was late for some. More wet days have interrupted planting again. Consumers are being warned more veggie shortages are likely.
One farmer in Waikato says his rain gauge has already recorded the region's average annual rainfall - and we're only halfway through the year. It's made feeding out difficult because of ground conditions. Cows are fairing better at farms with feed pads or livestock shelters. Our contact suggests the Government might be in for a shock with a lot less tax coming from the dairy industry as many weren't able to recover milk production levels after the wet spring.
It's predicted over 50 per cent of this orchards fruit has been lost. Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt
It's been the worst kiwifruit harvest in Waiariki -Bay of Plenty since most can remember. On average 6,800 trays per hectare of the green variety have been picked - about half the usual yield. Frost, flooding or bird strike meant some yielded nothing ... other growers felt the impact of a warm winter causing fewer flowers, followed by a cold and frosty spring, hardly any sunshine through summer, plus floods and tornados... It seems growers are keen to put the stake in the ground and move on. Green kiwifruit growers are said to be facing the worst ... as they had a poor season last year. Our contact says growers should take advantage of the support available.
It hasn't been a cold winter in Taranaki but it has been wet although the rain hasn't caused too much mess. Pasture covers are moderate however after the shortest day grass tends to slow down. Dairy farms at sea level are preparing for calving in the next two weeks. People are moderately happy with the milk payout despite production being down a little for the season.
Around Tai Rāwhiti, there are dozens of roads closed - most of those are side roads leading to farms. Some Angus bull sales have been delayed due to the wet. It's been hard to get stock to the sale yards. Schedules have dropped substantially. Feed resources are quickly being depleted. Our contact says there are very few forestry blocks in operation now. It seems just a few near Wairoa and the back of Gisborne are harvesting.
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Te Matau a Maui-Hawkes Bay has had several very wet weekends in a row ...100 millimetres each weekend when it's already wet underfoot. The good thing is temperatures have remained mild and the soil temperature is still 11 degrees - unusual for this time of year .. and clover is still showing its face in some paddocks. Ewes have been shorn for pre-lambing but sheep yards resemble muddy bog holes. It's making it hard for the work's to keep meat clean and sanitised with stock arriving so dirty, but with it so wet, there's not much more farmers can do about it.
Our contact in Manawatu was feeling guilty when temperatures dropped the other night after a day of shearing. But all in all overnight temperatures have been mild for this time of year. The winter grind has started, and the region is potentially the only one in the North Island that is thankful for rain when it comes. Sheep scanning was a big job ticked off this week for our farmer, who reported 183 lambs per 100 ewes mated.
Wairarapa has seen a lot of fog and it's pretty wet underfoot. In saying that, farmers don't believe it is as wet as last year when winter rolled in early. There has still been a bit of grass growth although it has slowed down. Thankfully most banked a lot of grass and there's plenty of supplementary feed on hand. Winter milking cows are said to be struggling with sore feet thanks to wet pasture.
Freshly shorn sheep. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook
It's a boomer of a season in Te Tauihu-Marlborough. Usually, it's the driest region in the country, but steady light rain throughout the year has meant there is tucker to burn. Grapes also did really well this season. Sunny conditions over the harvest period meant there were no hold-ups either. There've been a few frosts in the last three weeks, but those are welcome as it kills some unwanted bugs in the ground.
June has been amazing on Te Tai Poutini-West Coast. A brilliant winter, warm and dry. Now the weather has turned come the shortest day and farmers are making mud more than anything. For dairy farmers, it's a fun time of year pretending they're a dry stock farmer, getting to do all the farming jobs they can't when milking takes up their time.
Waitaha-Canterbury remains wet. It's not so much the rain but the lack of drying weather. The good thing is temperatures have been mild and of late not many frosts. Farmers are busy on winter maintenance jobs before the busy spring period rolls around.
Photo: Frank Bollen
It's been a strange season in Central Otago ... it hasn't been cold but bleak and foggy. When we called, farmers had woken to the first frost in three weeks - and they'll take a frost and a sunny day over anything. Grass is still growing and for June that is unheard of. Lambing doesn't start until October so it really is 'winter mode' across farms.
Murihiku-Southland has been quite mild for this time of year, although there is freshness in the air this week and snow forecast over the next few days. It's been one of the best Junes for stock in many, many years. Dry and warm - so if stock isn't doing well this year it won't have anything to do with conditions or feed. There is enough to go around. The region has seen more easterly conditions this year than anything which has meant there is twice as much grass growth than normal for the beginning of winter.
