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Ram Sales Season Preview Page 40
In partnership with Vol 23 No 39 | October 6, 2025
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Early season dry stalks Hawke’s Bay Richard Rennie
NEWS
A
Weather
N EARLY season drought appears inevitable for much of Hawke’s Bay as farm dams empty and pasture soil moisture levels plummet. Data collected from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s rain system highlights an emerging dry zone throughout Hawke’s Bay, defined by the area south of the Mohaka River with only a coastal strip between Haumoana and Aromoana to the south still in the council’s “green” (non-dry) zone.
This is very much an ’80s or ’90s pattern, with strong westerlies and systems coming from Australia. Phil Duncan WeatherWatch Hawke’s Bay farmer and shearer Heath Kingston told Farmers Weekly things had turned into a “100% winter drought” with an extremely low water table and rising concerns in southern Hawke’s Bay for stock water supplies in dams. “Every farmer you speak to around here will tell you their dams are only about half full and
simply cannot go too much lower. If they do, you won’t make it to summer, and the water quality in them will start to fall away quickly from here.” He said many properties with west-facing country look like they have been treated with Roundup spray, exhibiting bare, browned faces after blasts of strong drying nor’westerlies in recent weeks. While 25mm of rainfall would be good to help boost pasture growth, he said falls over 100mm are necessary to replenish the dwindling dams. “We grow peas for McCain and the early block looks pretty good, but the other, later block is really huffing and puffing now.” The council’s weather data bears this out, with a station at Keirunga near Poukawa reporting only 320mm of rain since January 1, against a year-to-date average of 540mm based off 40 years of data. Tukipo station near Ashley Clinton has had only 410mm for the year, against a long-term average of 693mm year to date. WeatherWatch forecaster and director Phil Duncan confirmed there is little relief in sight for Hawke’s Bay, with a “back to the future” look to this spring’s weather pattern. “This is very much an ’80s or ’90s pattern, with strong westerlies and systems coming from Australia. Continued page 3
Setting out to outwit a trout The fishing season is underway and anglers are accessing their favourite fishing spots, often through farmland. Janine Smith and Simon Norwick, who own a 280 hectare Maniototo sheep and beef farm, are keen anglers and conservationists. Their advice to those going fishing is to respect access and leave gates as you find them. ‘If you see a farmer, say g’day and thank them for the access,’ Smith says. Photo: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game
Kiwi tech reinvigorates Illinois farm Angus cattle and a piece of Kiwi ingenuity are helping North American crop farming couple Greg and Janis Theron embrace regenerative farming principles. Photo: Neal Wallace
MEETING THE MARKET 5 & 11 Rockit’s recovery to take longer than first expected.
OIO gives the AllianceDawn Meats deal the go-ahead.
Phil Weir’s keen to join hands and advance Australasia fair.
NEWS 4
NEWS 7
OPINION 15
A NEW ARVIDA COMMUNITY IS COMING TO LINCOLN. The warmth of a rural community with room to unwind. Enquire now.
arvida.co.nz
Artist Impression