Bay of Plenty avocado growers appear to have fared better during this week's storm than their Northland counterparts.

Communications manager for New Zealand Avocados Midge Munro says initial reports on storm damage from Whangaeri are mixed, but it appears some growers have lost trees and fruit.

'We won't know just how extensive the damage is until next week but we are hearing of minor damage in some orchards to more significant damage to trees and fruit in others.

'We will have a better idea once the weather has settled and a full assessment can be carried out.”

Midge says no reports of damage have been received from Bay of Plenty growers.

Collectively the industry has been predicting its largest harvest ever of around 5 million trays of export fruit, as orchardists in both Northland and the Bay of Plenty report heavy crop loadings.

Midge says New Zealand Avocado is in touch with Northland Rural Support, HortNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries to find out what help will be available should some growers in the Whangarei region need it.

'If trees are down, some growers may need help to clean them up.”

Meanwhile in the Bay of Plenty dairy herds are beginning to calve, meaning long hours in cold wet windy conditions for farmers.

Derek Spratt of Bay of plenty Federated Farmers says bad weather during calving is expected, but it is essential farmers collect new born calves and move them inside as soon as possible to avoid any animal welfare problems.

'We are used to this kind of weather during July and August but the good thing this year is that the grass is still growing,” says Derek.