Hot weather puts crops three weeks aheadSUPPLIED North Canterbury vintner Nick Gill. Hot weather leading up to New Year has accelerated crop growth by about two to three weeks compared with last year's dismal summer season. Viticulturist Nick Gill who manages vineyards in the Waipara area north of Christchurch said hot weather had given a great start to the season, although some rain would be welcome. READ MORE:* Berry growers gear up for massive weekend as early summer yields bumper crops* La Nina is coming and it's bringing a hot, dry summer* Hot summer weather delivers bountiful supplies of stonefruit early this season"Finding labour for harvest is an issue although more so in central Otago where they do a lot of hand harvesting. Processed Vegetables board director David Hadfield said the hot weather in Canterbury had resulted in one of the pea crop phases being "bypassed".

Source: Stuff December 30, 2017 02:15 UTC