A multi-purpose product to help manage nutrient run off
Nutrient loss from agricultural systems can reduce waterway quality through eutrophication.
Industry body DairyNZ has come out in support of Ravensdown and Ballance Agri-Nutrients' voluntary suspension of sales and use of Dicyandiamide (DCD) treatment on farm land until further notice.
However, DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle is urging the two companies, government authorities and dairy companies to work on pragmatic solutions that would enable the product to be back on the market and able to be used by farmers.
"We support this proactive approach to managing the trade risk, but this is a very useful tool for farmers in terms of managing their nutrient loss on farms, so we'd like to see solutions worked on as a priority," he says.
Dr Mackle says there is a suite of tools farmers can use instead of DCD to manage nitrogen loss and its effect on water quality, so farmers will be actively focussed on those in the meantime.
"We're doing a lot of research on other measures to manage nutrient loss so there are other options. But DCD is a particularly effective one so we hope that a solution can be worked on to enable it to be used."
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.
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