Displaying items by tag: Rain

MPI says while recent rains have brought welcome respite from dry weather in much of the country, farmers in drought-affected regions will feel the impact of El Niño for months.

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

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.

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.

Rain in the past week may have helped farmers in Gisborne and Wairoa but the real benefits will only be felt if predicted followup rain arrives.

The prospects for 2015 would be a lot better if there was some rain falling, says Federated Farmers president William Rolleston.

Sheep and beef farmers on the North Island east coast are getting nervous about the lack of rain, according to Gisborne-based AgFirst consultant Peter Andrew.

CIVIL DEFENCE officials say a 'severe weather watch' issued for Northland for the weekend reflects a sensible, cautious approach by forecasters and is no cause for alarm at this stage.

RAIN AND continued warm weather could see a surge in the worm burdens after the long dry, warns COOPERS  animal health Technical Advisor Hannah Field.

UMBRELLAS AND wet weather gear were in order for farmers attending the organic dairying conference at Woodville last week.