Weather back to normal?
MetService meteorologist James Millward says the country’s weather patterns are now on a much more even footing.
El Nino seems to be setting farmers up for a cold spring, according to MetService.
Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths says September will likely bring more storms with winds from west south-west and lower pressures over the country. MetService predicted a cold August and that has materialised.
Griffiths told Rural News the temperatures over the past few months have been a shock and it’s been a long time since New Zealand has had a winter like this temperature-wise.
“It’s probably been about five years since we have had temperatures like this in the North Island. In the South Island June was patchy and the temperatures swung; it was bitterly cold with snow in late April and May and into the start of June.
“July was cold again for the South Island. We had a very high incidence of frosts in the North Island and in much of the South Island.”
Griffiths says rainfall-wise it’s been mixed with parts of Canterbury only recently getting its first good rain in a long time. It’s been sopping wet in Otago Southland, and Manawatu has also had a rough time with heavy rain. Northern regions have been relatively dry though sometimes patchy.
Overall it’s been dry in the east and wet in western regions.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.