The NIWA soil anomaly map has a radically different look this week after big rains last week across the west coast and across most of the north island. The deluge isn’t over as more rain is expected over both islands from two storm systems that are spinning south out of the Coral Sea.

This rain will ease the late season drop-off in milk supply but won’t make a big change in the year-on-year falls against the big numbers in exceptional conditions this time last year. More is to come and with the dependence on cyclone systems, that are as predictable as a spinning top, it is far too early to call this a turnaround.