Green = 70 – 100%; Yellow = 40 – 69.9 %; Red < 40% of full storage capacity.

1. MONITORING AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN KWAZULU-NATAL April 2011 Provincial Dam levels Rainfall across KZN Green = 70 – 100%; Yellow = 40 – 69.9 %; Red < 40% of full storage capacity. Most dams reported only minor, and mostly positive changes in level, although Craigieburn and Nagle Dams increased by 7 and 10 % respectively. Hluhluwe Dam dropped by 3%, but is still over 80% full. Most rainfall stations reported above average rainfall in April, the exceptions being in Ugu, Umkhanyakude and Ulundi in Zululand. Using satellites to monitor conditions Medium term rainfall prediction In previous reports, Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) data were being provided through the UN FEWS website every 10 days. However, due to satellite technical problems these data are no longer being provided. Due to above average autumn rainfall over many parts of KZN, vegetation conditions improved, and most of KZN was average to above average. Some dry areas can be seen around Ulundi, parts of Umkhanyakude and parts of Uthukela. Due to these good vegetation conditions, an indication that there is still vegetation growth, land managers must be prepared for high winter biomass, which will enhance the severity of veld fires. Extra care needs to be taken with the preparation of fire prevention measures. The SA Weather Bureau is predicting equal possibilities for above-normal and below-normal rainfall for KZN. Prepared by: O. Howison Natural Resources – Macro Planning Owen.howison@kzndae.gov.za