The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) has identified Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and the Coromandel Peninsula as having the driest soils in the North Island, highlighting a significant deviation from typical moisture levels for the period.
The president of the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, Brydon Nisbet, noted the favorable weather for harvesting feijoas and apples, with recent temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees Celsius. Despite minimal rainfall, Nisbet acknowledged the potential need for irrigation among orchardists should the dry spell extend into May.
Conversely, pastoral farmers face challenges due to the scarcity of rain. Jim Galloway, president of Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers, reported rapid declines in feed availability, necessitating early decisions on livestock management to ensure the health and productivity of herds and flocks heading into winter. The disparity in water access between crop and fruit growers, who can irrigate, and farmers reliant on natural rainfall, underscores the varied impact of the current dry conditions across different agricultural sectors.
Source: nzherald.co.nz