Physical Factors
Climate
Gisborne
The 2002/03 growing season has proved to be a satisfactory one for Gisborne growers. Sweetcorn and tomato crops returned above average yields.
The spring was very cool with temperatures 1-2oC below average. In February and March the rainfall was 30% more than the long-term average. This caused mixed maturity in squash crops and yields were poor for the late planted cultivars. Conversely, the rain greatly assisted the yields of sweetcorn and tomatoes.
Hawke's Bay
In Hawke's Bay the end of winter was warmer than usual and crops such as asparagus started early. However, spring was hard and colder with a series of late frosts followed by an unusually cold October and November. The district was very dry prior to Christmas. There was an unseasonal frost in February which caused burning and some damage to sweetcorn and squash crops.
The rain in February and March created difficult harvesting conditions and affected the quality of crops such as onions. This rain also caused some disease in squash as leaves were flattened onto the crop.
Peas enjoyed the colder growing conditions in spring and produced some excellent yields although they tapered off towards the end of harvest.
Manawatu
This year Manawatu has had one of its driest seasons on record. During the period from January to April it received only 40% of the average rainfall for this time of year. This was in sharp contrast to last season, which was one of the wettest on record.
The lack of rain reduced yields in some crops such as potatoes. However, it also had a beneficial side with a marked reduction in disease in potatoes, carrots and squash, and therefore reduced losses and lowered management costs.
Table 1: 2002/03 Rainfall (mm)
Gisborne |
Hawke's Bay |
Manawatu |
Total |
Long-term Average |
Total |
Long-term Average |
Total |
Long-term | |
August |
125 |
125 |
87 |
52 |
92 |
76 |
September |
28 |
80 |
57 |
48 |
76 |
73 |
October |
59 |
59 |
37 |
54 |
56 |
91 |
November |
48 |
56 |
67 |
70 |
52 |
88 |
December |
54 |
71 |
17 |
55 |
91 |
89 |
January |
35 |
63 |
15 |
64 |
21 |
53 |
February |
88 |
69 |
55 |
65 |
28 |
60 |
March |
139 |
93 |
34 |
56 |
26 |
59 |
April |
43 |
89 |
66 |
81 |
23 |
69 |
Source: NIWA (readings taken at airports in Gisborne, Napier and Palmerston North)
Table 2: 2002/03 Temperature (oC)
Gisborne |
Hawke's Bay |
Manawatu |
Average Temperature |
Long-term Average |
Average Temperature |
Long-term Average |
Average Temperature |
Long-term Average | |
August |
10.6 |
10.2 |
10.3 |
9.6 |
9.5 |
8.9 |
September |
13.1 |
11.7 |
12.7 |
11.5 |
11.4 |
10.8 |
October |
12.4 |
14.1 |
12.5 |
13.7 |
11.1 |
12.6 |
November |
14.6 |
15.5 |
14.1 |
14.9 |
12.9 |
13.5 |
December |
17.7 |
18.1 |
17.6 |
17.7 |
16.2 |
16.2 |
January |
18.3 |
19.1 |
18.0 |
17.5 |
16.9 |
17.5 |
February |
18.6 |
19.2 |
18.3 |
18.6 |
17.5 |
18.1 |
March |
17.5 |
17.5 |
16.9 |
17.1 |
18.2 |
16.3 |
April |
15.3 |
15.0 |
13.6 |
14.1 |
13.7 |
13.6 |
Source: NIWA (readings taken at airports in Gisborne, Napier and Palmerston North)
Production
Asparagus
This season Hawke's Bay yields averaged 3.9 t/ha compared with an average of 3.25 t/ha in the previous two years. Production was expected to increase more than this because of the number of new blocks coming into full production. The cold spring, north-west winds, disease and slugs damaged spears and lowered the quality of the crop. Hawke's Bay yields were 1-9 t/ha.
Production continues to increase from new plantings. The anticipated new plantings have not occurred this season and the production area is reducing as a number of blocks are pulled out. Some growers have suggested that this is because of lack of profitability and also because the ground is suitable for more profitable crops such as grapes.
The asparagus industry has revised its anticipated national production figures downwards from 8,700 tonnes to 6,000 tonnes in 2005. Fifty-five percent of asparagus produced is processed, 25% exported fresh, and 20% sold on the local market.
Carrots
The dry season in the Manawatu has delayed the carrot harvest so yields are still unknown. However, early-planted crops which have been harvested are down in production by about 30%. Average yields of carrots in this area are usually about 25 t/ha although some have reached up to 40 t/ha. Processors are positive about the market and are looking to increase contracts, but they are having to compete for the land with sheep and dairy farmers.
Sweetcorn
In Gisborne the area planted in sweetcorn increased by nearly 1,000 ha compared with the 2001/02 season. The Gisborne area is renowned as a high yielding area and average yields of 17.6 t/ha this season confirmed this. Small amounts of organic sweetcorn were again grown in Gisborne.
In Hawke's Bay sweetcorn was able to be planted two weeks earlier than usual because of the warm conditions at the end of winter. However, cold conditions after planting affected germination. Pollination was also negatively affected by dry conditions prior to Christmas and harvest was no earlier despite the early plantings. The rain in February and March was beneficial to the crop, but production was reduced as a result of the slow growing season, poor pollination and the February frost.
Thirty-eight hectares of organic sweetcorn were grown with a yield of 20 t/ha.
Peas
Pea crop yields in Hawke's Bay increased this year as a result of an excellent growing season. The area planted next season is likely to increase again with processors having to go further afield to find growers with ground available for planting.
Potatoes
Growers in Manawatu report the second poor growing season in a row. The 1,750 ha planted in potatoes was similar to last year, halting the reduction which has occurred over the previous three years. Yields have dropped because of the dry growing conditions, with very few large potatoes being produced. Best results have been achieved where the crop has gone into new ground.
There were very few disease problems this season because of the dry conditions and, as a result, spraying costs were reduced considerably. Potato moth has been more of a problem than usual this season.
Squash
Gisborne squash growers had an average season with mixed maturity because of the cool spring, and lower yields later in the season because of rain in March. Yields averaged around 14 t/ha.
Confidence in the organic industry in Gisborne is relatively low compared with 2-3 years ago when nearly 250 ha of organic squash was grown in the district. This season around 60 ha of organic squash was grown.
Yields for squash in Hawke's Bay were low because of the cooler spring and summer. Frosts early in the season caused crop losses in some areas, reduced fruit set in others and therefore reduced the yield to around 14.5 t/ha.
Manawatu had a good year for squash. This was related to the dry year which meant growers had few disease issues and yields were very good. As a result of the total tonnage produced, growers did not receive the normal higher prices for the end of season product.
Tomatoes
In Gisborne tomato yields were excellent at around 96 t/ha. Industry sources suggest that there may be substantially increased plantings in the coming season.
Tomato growers in Hawke's Bay experienced slower growth rates this season compared with last season because of the cold spring. The severe frosts caused some crop loss and damage to early planting which lowered yields. The dry period from December to January meant that more irrigation was required than usual.
There was a later than average start and finish to the harvest. Some rots occurred because of rain during harvest. Average yields of 80 t/ha were similar to last year, although some growers achieved up to 92.5 t/ha. Quality and colour improved on last season.
Onions
Hawke's Bay is becoming an increasingly significant producer of onions, increasing from 13 ha in 1997 to 497 ha in 2002. Growers have had a successful season exporting 10,000 tonnes, around 70% of their crop, to strong markets in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe and Japan.
Eight hectares of organic onions were grown in Hawke's Bay producing 25 t/ha. Only 20% of these were exported this year, down from 60% the previous season. The reduction has been caused by strong competition from South America on the UK market.
In Horowhenua the wet winter and spring followed by the dry summer has reduced yields and lowered the quality of the onion crop.
Table 3: Production Data
2001/02 |
2002/03 | |||
Crop |
Area |
Production |
Area |
Production |
Gisborne: |
||||
Sweetcorn |
1 700 |
30 000 |
2 650 |
46 560 |
Squash |
2 880 |
31 680 |
2 800 |
38 640 |
Tomatoes |
62.5 |
5 000 |
116 |
11 100 |
Hawke's Bay: |
||||
Asparagus |
350 |
875 |
280 |
850 |
Peas |
1 400 |
7 000 |
1 450 |
7 500 |
Sweetcorn |
1 800 |
30 600 |
2 750 |
47 000 |
Squash |
2 700 |
30 000 |
2 800 |
40 600 |
Onions |
N/A |
N/A |
497 |
14 300 |
Potatoes (includes Gisborne) |
549 |
25 600 |
580 |
27 200 |
Tomatoes |
500 |
40 000 |
500 |
40 000 |
Manawatu/Rangitikei: |
||||
Asparagus |
420 |
10 500 |
480 |
1 450 |
Carrots |
160 |
10 000 |
135 |
8 000 |
Peas |
1 800 |
9 000 |
1 500 |
8 000 |
Potatoes |
1 580 |
61 300 |
1 750 |
80 300 |
Squash |
950 |
10 900 |
700 |
10 000 |
Sources: Agriculture New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand Vegetable & Potato Growers Federation (Inc), New Zealand Buttercup Squash Council and Statistics New Zealand
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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