Harvesting of leafy vegetables has continued in unpleasant conditions around Pukekohe and on a Nelson orchard growth is about a week ahead of last year. Find out more about what's been happening on farms and orchards this week around New Zealand.
Photo: Susan Murray
In Northland, farmers grappling with mud are being told to remember spring is just around the corner. The ag consultant we spoke to says 'well-being' conversations on farms are becoming more commonplace and that's a big turnaround for the sector. He suggests asking "how are you going?" and "what would make it better?" He says there are definitely times people should reach out to professionals but often solutions can be found within the farm gate - like simply giving someone the day off or switching up jobs between team members.
Around Pukekohe outdoor vegetable growers looking for a day or more without rain have been out of luck. This week has delivered 30mm and squally showers so the ground is very wet. Harvesting of leafy vegetables has continued in unpleasant conditions while adhering to the Covid-19 lockdown rules.
Things are ticking along in south Waikato - it's been a bit wet and cold but then it is the end of winter. A week of fine weather has been ordered. So far 770 out of 940 cows have calved on our contact's farm. The cows are given fodder beet for 20 minutes a day before milking - in that time they'll eat three to four kilograms - and that boosts their energy levels. There are five and a half full time positions on the farm - and the farmer says they each have to trust each other to keep their bubble secure. He says vets are coming on to the farm and the tractor mechanic - but they're just left to get on with the job and if there needs to be any interaction it's done with physical distancing. He says this time round everyone knows the drill.
The farmer we called in Bay of Plenty was just finishing feeding out to his rising two year old steers - he says no-one in his district is talking about an abundance of feed but most have an adequate supply. He says this week has been a bit rainy, a bit windy and relatively warm. Dairy farmers are well through calving and kiwifruit growers are applying Hi-Cane to enhance bud break in their vines. There's a lot of orchard development going on.
Photo: RNZ / Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Lambing's going full noise in King Country - the weekend and first couple of days of the week brought some horrible cold and wet days to the region so there will have been a few losses. Sunshine's needed - newborn lambs always thrive with sun on their backs. The works are offering good prices for prime cattle and for old season lambs - the lambs are a year old and are fetching nine dollars a kilogram.
In Hawera, 50 millimetres of rain has fallen and double that on farms further up Mount Taranaki. The end's in sight for calving on coastal farms but on higher altitude farms it's not long started. There are quite a number of vehicles on the road in and around Hawera - essential workers supporting farming.
Friday brought glorious sunshine to the Gisborne region - there's been settled weather - perfect for lambing. Most farmers just leave the ewes to it - they might do a slow lambing beat on horseback - but dogs and motorbikes are a hindrance. Usually farmers will catch up with the ewes in a few weeks time to see what's in the paddock. Gisborne's had a few light frosts so spring growth hasn't kicked in yet.
In Hawkes Bay some early stone fruit are in blossom. Apples will be a while away yet - they are still being pruned. There's also been less winter chilling than growers would expect so it could be a late season. Covid restrictions have meant a change in the way orchardists and their teams can work, but they're getting on with jobs as best they can because the trees don't wait.
A vet in Wairarapa says large animal vets are now based at home and are despatched out onto farms when the phone goes - mainly to help with calving. For the most part dairy farmers have big smiles on their faces - the rainy, stormy days seem to have passed and a lot of calves are out of the sheds and are bouncing around outside. Lambs on the flats and on lifestyle blocks are coming thick and fast. He says he enjoys working with lifestyle block holders as they are 'uniquely thankful' when animals are saved. The grass is really starting to bolt away on farms - farmers had wondered if and when that would happen - you can almost see and feel it growing. Daffodils are up and are looking beautiful.
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Nelson has had frustratingly inconsistent weather … windy, showery and wet. The orchardist we caught up with was getting stuck in muddy conditions. Stone fruit - plums are apricots - are starting to move so he was trying to get copper spray on for things like black spot. Some early pear buds are moving too and final mulching of all the prunings is nearing an end. Growth is about a week ahead of last year and last year was early… so another season is underway. It's too wet for tree planting so any trees that have come from nurseries are now sitting in coolstores to keep them dormant until conditions improve. Pastoral farmers are happy with the pasture growth but they're not happy with the mud.
Marlborough has generally been wet. Very wet. A farmer up the Waihopai Valley says the moisture has been welcome after three very dry years but the saying goes - don't worry about winter, it's the summer you need to get through. He's about half way through lambing and calving and says percentages are back a bit because it was so dry at mating time stock were a little light on condition. Lambing is in full swing on lower country but some near the coast are completing tailing now. A Waiau valley farmer's recorded 75 millimetres of rain just this week so puddles are everywhere. The dry Kaikoura area has had some rain, but could do with more.
The West Coast is excessively wet and the grass is not growing as fast as it should be, although most farmers have plenty of feed for the cows. The biggest issue is getting fertiliser onto paddocks and our dairy farmer correspondent here is considering helicoptering some on. It would be the fourth time in 23 years
North Canterbury - Springfield has recorded drops of 30 millimetres, then 60 millimetres then 40 millimetres this week and the annual rainfall's only 750mm. This means cultivation will need to be delayed until things dry out. It's great to see soil moisture levels well recharged though. Overall it's been mild so stock are all doing well but farmers went into winter with fewer animals on hand because autumn had been so dry. Crops that didn't strike in autumn apparently sat dormant until June and because it was mild they've grown well. A consultant here says that's really unusual He's encouraging farmers to hold onto stock as long as possible to get weight on them to take advantage of the good prices. He says they need every cent they can get because of inflation blowing budgets .. fertiliser is 25 to 30 percent up, and one irrigation project he's overseeing may become uneconomic to do because pipes, electrics and all other components have increased so much in price since last December.
Mount Ida Photo: supplied
Central Otago is just starting to dry out a bit. It's been a mud bath, a totally different winter to normal. It's frozen up, thawed, rained. Repeat. Farmers are getting through but it's been a struggle. Lots of farmers are into pre lamb shearing at moment. Cross-breds are well through and they're just starting on half-breds and merinos. The wool's looking good - not too much yellow in it - so now prices need to just keep tracking up because they're still woefully low. Willows are red which means the temperatures are warming up. Snow drops are out and looking pretty.
Southland is getting regular rain, and there's a little bit of growth. The wet is frustrating. It will be a long time before tractors can get anywhere near paddocks. Stock should all have full bellies because grass growth has been good. Even the lawns need a haircut.
Photo: RNZ / Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
