The forecast for above-average temperatures during the coming months is setting up ideal production conditions for Hawke's Bay's primary and fruit industries.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council's State of our Environment report for September showed it was a typical spring month with a mixture of above average rainfall, mild temperatures and windy weather.
The October to December forecast, using data from Metservice and Niwa, suggested temperatures would be above average with rain, river flows and soil moisture near normal levels.
Ministry for Primary Industries Hastings policy staff, Gillian Mangin and Annette Carey said September was an "extremely good start" to the farming season and the outlook was positive.
"Rain the last week of September freshened pastures after drying winds earlier in the month," their report said.
"Excellent lamb survival rates means many farmers are reporting similar numbers of lambs as last year, despite poorer scanning results earlier."
The ministry noted farmers operating in the dry areas during autumn had up to 20 per cent fewer lambs in spring.
Dairy farms had enjoyed a "spectacular spring" with good early season milk production, cows were in excellent condition, there were good feed levels and a higher advance payout.
Pipfruit and summerfruit orchards were also tracking favourably heading into summer.
"Bloom levels on pipfruit and summerfruit orchards look plentiful with potential for good crops. Grape growers have appreciated the respite from frost in September with little or no frost events of concern."
Temperatures for September were "near to above normal" with the highest daily temperature, 23.7C recorded at Bridge Pa and the lowest, -2.3C at Taharua.
Rainfall for September was "above normal". Hawke's Bay recorded 158 per cent of its normal September rainfall, marked over a 30-year average.
River flows were also "above normal" for the month with all of the region's main waterways showing greater than 100 per cent for the first time in many months.