Fix Overseer!

DairyNZ says it endorses further redevelopment of Overseer to continue its role helping optimise farm systems to protect water quality, farm viability and economy.

Federated Farmers wants Overseer fixed and is ready to be involved in talks about its future.

Federated Farmers environment spokesperson Chris Allen says the report "basically says Overseer should never have been used for anything other than general on-farm nutrient use management."

The Government is promising to support the development of a next generation Overseer alongside a suite of tools to help in the management and estimation of on-farm nutrient loss.

DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger says science-based management and modelling reviews, such as the recent Government report into Overseer, helps improve nutrient management for the environment and farm businesses.

"Overseer is vital in helping farmers, the sector and councils understand farm management, particularly nutrient and greenhouse gas losses to the environment.

"Therefore, we must have a high level of confidence in it as a tool.

"It's pleasing Government is committed to supporting Overseer and a re-development, while looking at other tools to improve nutrient management and on-farm outcomes."

Burger said DairyNZ research shows nitrate leaching measurements from farm system experiments are generally well-aligned with Overseer predictions where actual climate data has been used on dairy land.

"Along with this on-farm science, DairyNZ has contributed to improvements to the Overseer model, such as including plantain and updating the wetland and riparian modules. Our research and experience with farmers tells us Overseer is an important tool for helping dairy farmers manage nitrogen and reduce losses from farmers."

But Federated Farmers, which has been fighting against the use of Overseer by councils to define regulations for nutrient management on farm for more than a decade, questions its accuracy.

Allen says despite their protests for almost two decades, it is estimated more than 6000 farmers are strictly regulated by Overseer and another 5000 must do Farm Environment Plans with Overseer nutrient budgets.

This includes drystock, dairy, horticulture, arable and other farmers.

"All farmers and growers need answers so they have confidence in the way they continue to operate their farms, knowing what they do will have the outcomes they want."

Environment Minister David Parker says despite its shortcomings Overseer has been a useful tool to build awareness and influence practices to manage nutrient loss at the farm and catchment level.

"There is a robust body of independently peer-reviewed knowledge on nitrogen mitigation options that sits alongside Overseer.

"Farmers have used Overseer alongsid advice, to improve practices and freshwater outcomes. We encourage farmers to continue their vital efforts to reduce nutrient losses."

Overseer is jointly owned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ) and AgResearch Limited.

Overseer Limited chief executive Caroline Read remains confident in OverseerFM and looks forward to its further development and improvement.

Read claims OverseerFM is proven in its ability to support farmers and growers make more informed decisions about their farming practices.