Displaying items by tag: weather

While drought conditions persist in many parts of the country, some irrigating farmers are coping well, says IrrigationNZ.

Although it has been variable across the country, recent rain has brought confidence to many farmers, says DairyNZ general manager extension, Andrew Reid.

"Everyone's trying all sorts of combinations to get through" is how Cheviot's Emmet Daly describes North Canterbury farmers' efforts to cope with their sixth season of drought.

El Nino will still be the main climate driver for the next three months or perhaps even longer despite recent rain, says Chris Brandolino, principal scientist forecasting at NIWA.

Despite recent rain, farmers in drought-affected parts of New Zealand will continue to feel the impacts of El Niño for months, as NIWA's latest seasonal outlook indicates.

Nelson apple growers have suffered significant losses from hail on Wednesday – some the size of 50c pieces.

With the country now experiencing an El Nino cycle, farmers are seeking all available information to help them plan ahead.

On the West Coast of the South Island, for 30 years, many dairy farmers have 'humped and hollowed' their land, dealing with the whopping natural challenge the region lays down – massive rainfall.

The Ministry for Primary Industries have published a brochure to help farmers prepare for what could be a drier summer.

Weather forecasters are predicting an El Nino weather pattern this season which could be the strongest yet, resulting in a drought similar to the 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98 events.