Country

Welcome rain has fallen in the North and South Island. Substantial snow has fallen in Central Otago but elsewhere in the south lambs are growing well in good conditions. Audio

Waikato welcomed a drink this week and the West Coast is flush with grass. Audio

Marlborough farmers and grape growers have been revelling in the sunshine. In the North Island it's been bitterly cold in places and wet - again. Audio

Vegetable growers around Pukekohe had been contemplating turning on their irrigation systems but rain saved the day. Audio

A cold southerly has been ripping through the North Island, and despite the southerly blast in Canterbury, lambing and calving have gone very well and farmers are in good spirits. Audio

Waikato farms are very wet underfoot and farmers are waiting for a spring surge in grass growth. In Canterbury winter feed paddocks are being planted into a range of crops and spring fertiliser is… Audio

Many North Island regions are swimming in water again after heavy downpours this week, while in Central Otago apricot trees are in full blossom Audio

Waikato farms on heavy soils are pugging again following more rain. The fabulous weather pattern just keeps on coming for Canterbury and it's making lambing, calving and ground preparation for spring… Audio

Grass is growing in most North Island areas with warmer than normal soil temperatures. Farmers in Marlborough are break feeding stock and calving is in full swing on most South Island dairy farms. Audio

The North Island is generally quite mild while Marlborough has a flush of lambs arriving. Audio

Hopes are high for a good lambing on the North Island's East Coast, Marlborough's had enough rain for now, and in Central Otago there's been some growth. Audio

On tonight's show Mark says happy birthday to Tony Joe White, spins new tracks from Charles Lloyd & the Marvels and Clay Parker and Jodi James plus reggae from Flick Wilson and Louisiana blues… Audio

Many North Island regions are feeling very sodden, although a milder week in King Country raised soil temperatures and put a green tinge on low pasture covers. Grape pruning continues in Marlborough… Audio

Gisborne has had a couple of frosts and quite strong nor-west winds. Karamea, on the South Island's West Coast, had a mid-week down pour of about 150 millimetres. Audio

There was sunshine amidst the mist in Northland on Friday morning. Feed levels on farms are very low. Dairy farmers in Canterbury are getting very close to calving with many reporting to already… Audio

Waikato has been cold, wet and miserable but there have been three good frosts. Ewe scanning is in full swing in Marlborough and results are up about 10 per cent on last year. Audio

It has been so wet in Gisborne that farm bikes can't be used in places and farmers are having to saddle up their horses. Marlborough started off wet and ended with frost and a fresh skiff of snow on… Audio

Five contestants from the National Fieldays Rural Catch of the Year competition talk about conditions on the land and their love of farming. Audio