Soaring late-spring temperatures are not yet creating drought concerns for Central Otago farmers, although some in the high country are keeping an eye on evaporating soil moisture.
A recent hot, dry spell of more than 30degC temperatures across Central Otago has some farmers hastening their usual activities as existing weather conditions trend towards mid-summer.
Oturehua farmer Ken Gillespie said the heat had affected grass growth, so hay-making and baleage operations would start early.
However, the hot weather had not had any major effect on farming operations, compared with the drought which struck early last summer.
"The grass is shooting away in this heat and going to seed. We are streets ahead of where we were last year, though. Things are positive," he said.
Glen Dene Station's Richard Burdon, of Lake Hawea, said soil moisture deficits across the region were getting worse.
The dry spell has forced a rethink of his usual stock rotations, a review of his lamb-finishing policies, and also hastened hay and silage-making.
"We've pushed our stock and lambs into our high-country blocks because the feed quality is hardening off,"As grass grew drier and went to seed, it became more difficult to maintain stock quality.
"Most farmers are pretty comfortable with where they are. It was a good start to spring with early rain, but everything has dried off considerably during recent times," Mr Burdon said.
Readily available information, such as the Otago Regional Council's soil moisture deficit readings, were a valuable tool to help with decision-making, he said.
