Displaying items by tag: weather

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.

Dairy farmers in Otago and Southland have taken a hit from unseasonal high winds that have demolished haybarns and generally disrupted their farming.

Persistently wet conditions on the West Coast are causing huge problems for dairy farmers there, says DairyNZ consulting officer Ross Bishop.

El Nino seems to be setting farmers up for a cold spring, according to MetService.

The Southland District Council is advising drivers in central Southland against unnecessary travel, due to widespread icy conditions.

The big open-plan office where many MetService forecasters work is dominated by a huge screen showing weather conditions affecting New Zealand. 

Weather is a huge influence on New Zealand farms’ profitability. Knowing exactly what the weather might do, and when, will determine farmers’ and contractors’ work.

Stock prices have tumbled and feed values are starting to climb as dry becomes drought in the east of the South Island.