increase font size
Lochie MacGillivray
Farmers on the east coast of the North Island are facing a quandary as hot, dry weather and dropping soil moisture levels persist.
AgFirst's Lochie MacGillivray, based in Hawke's Bay, told Rural News farmers are in 'no man's land' as they try to second guess what might happen with the weather in December/January. He says they are torn between acting now in anticipation of a drought or holding back in case it doesn't happen - and no one can say with any certainty what the outcome may be.
"The store lamb store price is slipping away and so for farmers to unload more animals, which in some cases could be absolutely the right decision, means they are gambling that there won't be substantial rain coming in January," he says. "But then what happens if we get some of those tropical cyclones in between the hot weather?"
MacGillivray says part of the problem is that it is neither a strong El Nino or a strong La Nina which makes modelling the outcome very difficult so at present the position could be described as 'neutral'. He says what the weather does in the next few weeks will be crucial. He points out that in the past few weeks temperatures have been in the 30s and winds have been strong.
But while livestock farmers are concerned about the weather, most of those in the horticulture sector are more than happy with the hot dry spell. Gordon McPhail of Leaderbrand, based in Gisborne, says the weather has resulted in one of their best years in a long time.
He says their sweet corn crop is nearly two weeks ahead of normal and they are planning to sell two million cobs of corn in the next few weeks. He says they are hoping the weather will stay as it is especially with their 350 hectares of grapes due for harvest in February.
McPhail says summer crops such as corn and watermelons are important for his company and they have hopes for good sales in the coming months.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
The 'atmospheric river' of rain that swept down the country last week almost completely avoided one of the worst drought-affected regions in the country – coastal Taranaki.
Much-needed rain finally arrived in Northland, giving many farmers breathing space to get themselves back on track for next season.
The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.
A leading farm consultant says it's likely the dairy season in the Waikato will come to a premature end because of the drought.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.
