Key Points
- Long term weather data from Timaru, Waimate and Oamaru was analysed for number of screen and ground frosts from September to December. The weather data was also run through AmaizeN to determine the risk of losing a maize crop to frost in these regions.
- Maize crops sown at Timaru in October are at risk of frost damage in spring. Crops sown in November have low risk of spring frost damage but are likely to suffer frost damage in autumn prior to silage harvest.
- Frosts in spring are less likely at Waimate than Timaru. Autumn frosts can affect maize silage crops prior to harvest.
- Based on a fewer number of years, Oamaru has a similar spring frost risk to Waimate but the autumn frost risk is less.