Awanui-based Gavin Ussher says the Far North had a combination of warmth and well-spaced rainfall over the past 30 days that had driven pasture growth rates up to 70kg/ha/day dry matter.
After two major dry periods during the past two years, NIWA’s prediction of a normal summer rainfall would be extremely welcome, Ussher says.
Normal was up to 100mm of rain in each of the three summer months.
His district had received that order of regular rain over the past month, so the signs were looking good.
Shut-up paddocks of standing grass abound throughout Northland, waiting for the silage contractors and drier ground conditions.
Whangarei-based AgFirst Northland consultant Neil Crowson says he hadn’t heard of any contractor constraints through driver shortages.
Drystock farmers were carrying lower animal numbers because of last summer’s drought and the fast pasture growth rates produced a spring flush in stark contrast to recent years.
The crucial sub-soil moisture and farm dams were being replenished.
Bay of Islands Total Ag consultant Aaron Baker says a regular summer rainfall would be fantastic after two very dry years and farmers were still rebuilding their livestock numbers.
“Dairy farmers enjoyed the $7/kg milksolids return but had high farm working expenses and supplementary feeding costs,” Baker said.
“With last season fresh in mind, farmers have made more contingency plans and put in more crops.
“Six to eight weeks ago we didn’t have the same level of comfort but it has rained regularly and lately growth conditions have been great.
“Store prices are reflecting the old-fashioned grass market and farmers are getting lambs up to target weights and sending them away.”
He had recorded 70mm of rain in the past two weeks and a peak growth rate of 77kg/ha/day was measured on the Northland Agricultural Research Farm at Dargaville.
Varying daily growth rates between 40 and 80kg/ha DM according to sunshine have encouraged Waipu dairy farmer Stuart Abercrombie on his silage making.
The number of shut up paddocks has doubled in the past four weeks.
“We haven’t had the big dumps of rain seen elsewhere in Northland, but regular falls have recharged the upper soil profile and helped the maize germination,” Abercrombie said.
“The NIWA La Nina predictions for summer in the north are ideal for farming but not so much for holidaymakers, although we may see some floods return.”
