Mild weather has been helping Otago farmers get through what was looming as a particularly difficult winter.
Farmers report mild temperatures and reasonably dry weather for the start of winter has helped with tight feed conditions after a dry summer and autumn.
Supplementary feed was available, albeit up to twice the price of last year, but farmers report that the mild weather has seen some grass and crop growth.
South Otago farmer David Botting said up until this week there had been few frosts.
"The grass has been pretty much growing right through. There has been good regrowth for winter after the stock has grazed it off," he said.
Pregnancy scanning was just beginning which, Mr Botting said, illustrated just how hard the summer and autumn had been for farmers and stock, and would indicate the success or otherwise of management decisions.
However, last weekend's wet, cold weather saw a marked increase in feed consumption.
Wanaka farmer Richard Burdon said stock appeared to have come through well, with early scanning results showing an improvement on last year.
He recently returned from the Hawkes Bay and said farmers there were facing major problems with pregnancy rates up to 17% down on average, and having to pay $200 a bale for baleage.
In comparison, he said he could buy baleage for between $100 and $110 a bale, still double the cost of last year.
Mr Burdon, Otago Federated Farmers' president, was optimistic about farming's future, saying forecast prices for venison, fine wool, milk, beef and lamb were all positive.
Rainfall in Central Otago was regular but still below average and farmers would like to see a decent fall before summer.
North Otago farmers would also like some rain before spring and summer to moisten the dry subsoil, but were enjoying the mild winter.
Robert Borst said the dry winter meant feed utilisation was high and unseasonably warm temperatures had provoked some late crop growth.
"June has been pretty kind. Green feed crops were going forward and in pasture paddocks you can certainly see some growth.
"It's a bit late but we'll take it."
Baleage was available at up to $140 a bale and straw was selling for between $50 and $70 a bale, double last year.
Mr Borst, a dairy farmer and the North Otago president of Federated Farmers, said demand from dairy farmers due to the combination of a high milk payout and mediocre pasture growing seasons had driven up the price.