SUMMER DROUGHTS IN NORTHLAND - A POOR EXCUSE

Abstract

Dry summer conditions in Northland have been cited as a significant limiting factor for high levels of milkfat production. For example: "Droughts of significant economic impact on the agricultural economy occur on average once in every three years" (Male 1978). "Dairy farming is a major part of Northland agriculture but the climate is not very suitable for dairy production . and droughts from January/February to April are not uncommon" (M.A.F. 1980). At other times though, Northland has been described quite differently, du Faur (1962) wrote: "Some districts such as South Auckland, parts of the Waikato, Manawatu, Wairarapa ___ will benefit from the provision of (summer) supplementary feed in a majority of seasons. Other areas such as Bay of Plenty, North Auckland . rarely need summer supplementary feeding". So it woud seem that Northland has a real Jekyll and Hyde character. Despite the different views, over 2000 farmers find dairy farming to be the most economic land use. Northland produces around 13% of New Zealand's annual dairy export earnings. It is in fact, a larger dairy production area than either the Bay of Plenty, Manawatu/- Wairarapa or the South Island. Today the industry in Northland is stronger than ever. This paper examines the "summer drought" view of Northland by comparing production trends with the South Auckland (Waikato) region - the "Mecca" of New Zealand's dairy industry.