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Story: Pastures

Dryland pastures

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Dryland pastures

In regions that are dry in summer, pastures often have a very short growing season in spring, and then go to seed over late spring to summer. While there appears to be plenty of pasture, it is of low quality and not suitable for young stock. New growth will occur only after reliable autumn rain. These pastures at Haumoana, Hawke’s Bay, are covered in seed heads during a dry summer.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AANR 6325/W3302 Drawer 8

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How to cite this page

Deric Charlton, Pastures – Pastures in different regions, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16424/dryland-pastures (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Deric Charlton, published 1 March 2009.