Weather watch: Forecasts for farmers

Often the weather wont play ball for farmers. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Farmers and those in the rural sector have it tough in New Zealand. The weather so often doesn't want to play ball.

So many parts of our country see extreme weather on a frequent basis - and coming from a farming background I have sympathy for the stresses farmers are put under due to mother nature.

In the past few years I can't even remember just how many drought zones have been declared - incredibly, during La Nina a couple years ago. La Nina is well known for producing wetter than average weather for the country. It's weather events like that, that can really knock you for six.

So many farms, from Northland to Otago, suffered from a devastating drought this year too, only to be hit hard by major flooding in some areas.

I've recently started a new and exciting role at Country 99 TV (and you can watch it for free on Sky Channel 99 Weds to Sun this week) and am presenting the weather mainly for the farming and rural sectors (although the forecasts are easily applicable to city and town folk too).

The challenge was to create a weather product that looked ahead not just for the next couple of days, but also the next 10 days.

It's a challenging role, creating a unique product catering for this huge industry. And while this shameless promotion of my new role surely isn't going unnoticed by you, the main reason for writing this blog was actually to talk about the huge stresses farmers - and others working in the rural sector - are put under each year.

I'd say a majority of contributors to WeatherWatch.co.nz are farmers - I'm often asked about rainfall numbers, wind speeds, when the sun is coming out, frost forecasts etc.

I know how stressful my job can be, trying to be as accurate as possible...after all, I rely 100% on the weather for my job. But if I get a forecast wrong, it's not the end of me (some of you probably wish forecasters were fired when they got it wrong though!). Unless I royally get it wrong on a regular basis, myself, Richard Green, and other weather forecasters out there, will probably lose nothing - except a little credibility and maybe a few hours sleep and a little extra work to ensure we don't make that same mistake again.

Farmers, on the other hand, can lose millions from one bad weather event. If the weather surprises them with a flood, a huge snowfall, or a drought (expected or not) it can ruin them. I've heard stories of the pressures farmers go under when a drought hits - it's unpleasant and something many city or town dwellers will never fully appreciate. Lets face it, the drought didn't affect Auckland. Our biggest gripe was having to drink water from the Waikato river this year.

The stress they face is not only financially painful, but can also cause serious health issues.

With those who grow grapes for the wine many of us love so much, one frosts can wipe out a crop. Alarms are activated when the air temperature plummets to a certain level and it's that stage they get out of bed and start the anti frost work. This can go from early evening until an hour or so after sunrise - a whole night of fighting an invisible and possibly bankrupting enemy. Freezing air. Not only that, but a big high could mean several nights of this in a row. They combat the frosts by spraying water, creating smoke, or using giant fans. Helicopters are also used - flying back and forth all night to create a wind and stopping ice from forming.

Yet, the majority of us, don't have to worry about these things. Sure, we have different pressures on us in our various roles. Working in an office can be no fun either. Especially on those beautiful sunny days. And the office politics - don't get me started.

So, this new role is teaching me a new found respect for these people that keep our economy going and serve us so well.

And believe me - having so many friends in the farming world I can't afford to get a forecast wrong... we all know how hard it is to please a farmer...and now you know why.

If you have Sky Digital you can see Philip for free on Sky Channel 99 during Fieldays (it's free Wednesday to Sunday this week). Philip's weather presentation is part of Country 99 News 8pm weeknights and is rescreened 7:30am weekdays.