8 December 2006

1 minute read

Oceania

Late spring was wet, which has pushed grass growth, but soil temperatures and sunshine levels are down and grass surpluses for many farmers have been short-lived.

Dexcel consulting officer Dr Mary Kinston said the surpluses would continue to swing from one extreme to the other if the weather continued to fluctuate.

"Soil temperatures have been down one to two degrees compared with this time last year. We have had a large amount of rainfall, but sunshine levels seem to be a lot lower."

She said some farmers were experiencing surpluses and others deficits, depending on the farming system in their area.

"It depends on their stocking rates, available feed and supplementary feeding."

The lack of sunshine had prevented grass growth from forging ahead. A few paddocks have shown symptoms of nitrogen deficiency.

Source: Stuff.co.nz