Plenty of spring in farmers' footsteps

Golden spring weather has given the dairy industry a much-needed strong start to the season.

August figures show milk production is up by as much as 25 per cent in the South Island. The latest estimates for the Auckland region have production up by about 12 per cent.

Improved milk volumes could prove crucial for many dairy farmers this year as they brace for a forecast drop in payout from Fonterra.

They can also have an impact on New Zealand's overall economic performance - Fonterra accounts for 20 per cent of all exports.

Fonterra shareholder relations manager Rodd Hodgson said the warm, dry weather had provided a welcome change for farmers.

"In the past few years, we've had some pretty tough times early in the spring."

Last year, a wet, cold season contributed to a drop in the volumes of milk collected by Fonterra - from about 14 million litres to 13.5 million.

It was the first time for several years that New Zealand's milk production did not reach record highs.

Hodgson said it had been a good year so far compared with last year.

"But last year was really poor. That's why we're not out there predicting a super flush year. It's just too early."

In some regions, such as Northland, production was still up only slightly on last year.

Warm and dry conditions mean good pasture growth rates.

"The cows aren't trampling it all into the ground and it's generally just a bit easier to run the farm," Hodgson said.

Most farmers are now safely through calving. Dairy Farmers of New Zealand Auckland chairman John Sexton said to get through that part of the season without any weather hassles was fantastic.

"It's been a magic spring so far."

Farmers were generally feeling pretty positive about the season but were always cautious about predicting the weather.

Ultimately, Sexton said, it was the later part of the season which determined just how good the year was.

Good conditions in early autumn could extend the dairy season and significantly boost final production volumes.

Those conditions were reliant on a decent level of rainfall over the summer.

Sexton said that while no one was complaining about the good weather just yet, it wouldn't be long before farmers were hoping for a bit of rain.