South Canterbury farmers thrilled with autumn so far

South Canterbury's farming sector is looking healthy thanks to the combination of rain, warmth and, at times, dry conditions, throughout the year so far. Photo: Alexia Johnston

Autumn is on track to being one of the best ''in living memory'', farmers across South Canterbury say.

For some of the district's farmers, the positive outlook was due to a great late summer and early autumn, which had helped boost winter feed crops.

Federated Farmers South Canterbury vice-president and dairy chairman Ryan O'Sullivan said that trend was pleasing, particularly as many winter feed crops across the district were unirrigated.

''So, the fact we've had a great late summer and early autumn [means] there's some pretty good yields sitting there with winter feed crops.''

Last year, farmers faced a wetter than usual year, starting as early as April.

Frequent rain events continued further into the year, which made way for an ''incredibly'' wet winter.

The wet conditions meant farmers were forced to opt for late planting choices, with spring barley being a popular option.

Farmers are now welcoming warmer, drier weather.

''That's what we are after at this time of year,'' Mr O'Sullivan said.

''We [the dairy sector] don't really want rain, just warm and sunny conditions,'' he said.

''If it can stay in this pattern for the next six weeks it will probably be as good an autumn as many people have seen in living memory, really.''

Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Mark Adams agreed the season was tracking well.

He said two aspects were contributing to that positive outlook.

''One is we've had a great late summer or even great mid-summer through until now. We are calling it an exceptional season, but we are also having strong product prices,'' he said.

''So, we are enjoying the benefits of both and that's quite unusual. Farmers are able to finish their animals.

''It's quite unusual,'' he said, of both factors coinciding at the same time.

''We are enjoying it and it would be said it had put the fun back into farming.''

Mr Adams said he was unsure when that last happened.

''I'm not saying it's the best season in living memory, but it's an exceptional season and the chill of the last three days is the reminder that winter is coming, but we are well positioned anyway for winter to come,'' he said last week.

Federated Farmers South Canterbury resources chairman Colin Hurst agreed autumn was tracking well and it was the perfect season for growing grass.

''We are going pretty good,'' he said.

Significant rainfall in mid-February delayed the second half of the harvest, but those challenges had since been overcome.

The sector was finally back in charge after last year's ''significant'' rain in April and July, which pushed out spring plantings.

''Most people have made an effort to work extended hours, even right through the night just to make sure they aren't caught out again.''

Autumn planting has now started and prices were looking to be ''a little more favourable'', he said.

-By Alexia Johnston

Central Rural Life