Northland:

Planting is now almost complete. Emergence is taking 8 to 11 days depending on soil type.

There are no reports of any significant black beetle, greasy cutworm or Argentine stem weevil (ASW) damage. Weed control will require some follow up post-emergence applications but is generally good.

Maize silage area is down about 30% but grain area is similar to last season.

Waikato:

A fortnight of largely fine but windy weather has seen a lot of cultivation and maize planting, and planting is now largely completed. Emergence is currently taking 7 to 10 days depending on soil type and site exposure to wind. Until the few warmer days recently maize plants were looking yellow and purple but have greened a lot with the warmer weather conditions. Bird, black beetle, and, to a lesser extent, cutworm damage is being seen in a lot of crops despite seed treatments being used.

Therefore, growers are advised to scout regularly take timely remedial action. The area is now quite dry, particularly on the top 40mm, and rainfall would be greatly beneficial for growth and the activation of pre-emergence herbicides on later planted crops. Grass weeds are germinating and growers are advised to scout regularly and apply post-emergence herbicides, preferably while weeds are small. The area planted in maize will be down by about 25 to 30% this season.

Bay of Plenty:

The maize grain area is now almost all planted while maize silage area about 95% completed. Some replanting has had to be done due to bird and rat damage, but there are no reports of significant cutworm, black beetle or ASW damage. Weed control however, has generally been very poor this season, largely due to the dry conditions not allowing sufficient activation of pre-emergence herbicides. Grass weeds (including purple sedge nutgrass), and broad leaf weeds are prevalent and will require follow up post�emergence herbicide applications. The region's maize area is expected to be down by only about 5% this season.

Gisborne:

Planting is still only about 80% completed due to wet conditions. In several cases, planters have been parked up for ten days waiting for ground conditions to improve. The cooler weather has plants looking a little yellow and some replanting is required due to the wet conditions. A little cutworm damage has been observed. Some paddocks require post-emergence herbicides.

Hawke’s Bay:

Nearly all planting has been completed. Reports suggest that apart from weed control, crops are looking very promising at this stage. Post-emergence herbicides will be required on many crops this season as weeds are continuing to germinate with the wetter than normal conditions. There are no reports of pest damage apart from birds (principally pukeko).

Taranaki:

About 95% of the region's maize is now in the ground, but a replanting will be required to a few frost damaged crops in South Taranaki. ASW and a little cutworm damage is showing up, so growers are advised to scout crops. Recent cold southerlies caused wind damage to young plants but these should recover when warm conditions return. Maize area is estimated down by 10% this season.

Manawatu:

Planting has progressed rapidly and about 95% of the expected area is now in the ground.

Conditions have been cool and a little damp, but not too wet. Emergence is still taking about eleven days.

Apart from the slow growth due to the cooler weather, crops look promising at this stage. There are no reports of pest damage.

Wairarapa:

Nearly all maize has been planted. Emergence has generally been slow due to the cooler than normal weather. Maize planted area is expected to be down by 50% for both silage and grain.

Canterbury:

Nearly all of this season’s reduced planting area is now in the ground. A recent frost caused damage to some crops but no replanting has been required. The drier weather has resulted in patchy emergence if irrigation has not been applied, and emergence has been slower. A little slug damage has been observed.