increase font size
More farmers are now using an online riparian planner tool to protect waterways.
An interactive web tool to help dairy farmers plan and implement plantings along their waterways is getting good uptake, says DairyNZ.
Senior developer for sustainability and land management Matt Highway says the Riparian Planner tool, online for just over two months, now has about 4000 registered log-on users, and about 80 rural consultants and planners are trained to use it.
Highway presented the tool to a popular workshop at the recent SIDE (South Island Dairy Event) in Invercargill.
He says the tool enables farmers to examine their waterways on an interactive map, plan suitable plantings and cost the work over the time they expect it to take. The tool can export documentation, for contractors or authorities, if planting plans may be needed under consent conditions.
"If you're a dairy farmer, you put in your supplier number and it'll zoom you to your farm anywhere in the country and allow you to map your waterways and wetlands. And then it asks you what that waterway is like."
The tool will prompt for information on, for example, whether erosion is a problem, and possibly promote that to the top of the priority list. This will allow farmers to plan what they will do and how long it would likely take. Plans might range from merely fencing off grass strips to full planting projects.
Highway says the tool was developed with local experts so that where it suggested possible plant species they would suit the local conditions and be approved by regional authorities.
With 96% of dairy waterways now fenced under the water accord, Highway says the tool will be "the next step" in managing waterways. "This is part of our commitment to New Zealanders towards managing our water quality as well as we can."
More information on riparian plantings is available in regional riparian planting guides, of which 4000 have now been ordered or downloaded directly from the DairyNZ website.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.
DairyNZ's Kirsty Verhoek ‘walks the talk’, balancing her interests in animal welfare, agricultural science and innovative dairy farming.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson is not afraid to break the mould when it comes to finding farming systems that work for him.
Dairy farmers are faring well despite data showing above average temperatures for most of the country.
In its submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act, DairyNZ says its levy-paying members invested more than $60 million across the biosecurity system last year, through multiple biosecurity levies across several entities and legislative frameworks to collect this funding.
Next month, the Beef Breeder Forum is set to give farmers an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the beef industry.
ACC and Safer Farms have announced a new partnership in an effort to reduce harm, injuries, and fatalities in agriculture.
A Franklin dairy farmer has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Northland’s top young farmer.
Dairy and beef farmers could be eligible for lower interest lending options for financing Halter on their farms, with ANZ, ASB and BNZ now offering a pathway to sustainability loans for New Zealand’s largest virtual fencing provider.
OPINION: Will the latest science reforms make the difference that the government hopes?
Increased farmer spending on genetics and animal health has boosted LIC’s half-year profit.
OPINION: A mate of Milking It’s was recently walking down the main street of the hub of the Horowhenua, Levin,…
OPINION: Donald Trump may fancy, and like to get, a Nobel prize for peace, but his chances of getting on…
