Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
A Lincoln University PhD student is putting New Zealand’s vaunted paddock-based dairy industry to the test.
Hafiz M. Abrar Ilyas is comparing the difference between Pastoral Dairy Farms (PDFs) and Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) dairy systems in terms of energy consumption and environmental emissions.
He says it is something that has not been done before but needs to be looked at if New Zealand is to take its environmental responsibilities seriously.
“Pastoral Dairy Farming Systems are common in New Zealand while the CAFO system is relatively new, but increasing in numbers especially in the South Island,” he says.
“The core advantage of using CAFOs system is that they have minimum soil disturbance, have more control over climate events and research has shown they can achieve higher milk production per cow.”
However, are they more energy efficient and able to reduce emissions?
A direct comparison will let the numbers speak for themselves.
“The intensification of New Zealand’s dairy industry, including its vertical and horizontal expansion could cause serious environmental issues,” Ilyas says.
New Zealand’s agriculture sector produces 46% of its greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2014 Ministry for the Environment report.
Dedicated efforts and studies are required to look into the environmental impact the dairy industry is having on New Zealand, he says.
“The findings of this study can be useful for making environmental policy regarding NZ dairy production systems as well as help farmers in selecting appropriate farm management practices for the sustainability of the New Zealand dairy industry."
A qualified engineer, he is being supervised by Dr Majeed Safa and Professor Alison Bailey and will be surveying farmers using both systems, and hopes to have results in June, 2017.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.