increase font size
Assessors look at a farm’s effluent system before issuing a WoF.
Dairy Farmers can get a ‘warrant of fitness’ issued for their farm effluent and irrigation systems and be confident the WoF is ‘on the level’, says DairyNZ.
This is the intended outcome of the industry’s certification of dairy effluent assessors. It enables dairy farmers to confidently choose suitably trained, competent professionals to assess their farms’ systems.
These assessors will spend three-four hours looking at a farm system following a consistent methodology, then issue a WoF if all is well.
The assessors will examine a farm’s effluent consent or permitted rules to ensure it is complying with all requirements. They will also look at the farm’s nutrient budget, run the dairy effluent storage calculator to estimate if there is sufficient storage, and assess all catchment areas, particularly stand-offs and feedpads.
Application depth and rate test of the farm’s irrigation system will also be examined. The farmer gets a full report detailing areas of concern, why and suggested actions.
There are good reasons why a farmer should get a certified WoF, says DairyNZ.
Many farmers have upgraded their effluent systems themselves and a thorough check will determine whether they now comply.
In the event of a farm sale or purchase, best to get an independent report to determine what upgrading is needed.
For a sharemilker moving onto a farm, being able to see a WoF report means he will know what kind of system he is taking on.
There are no laws or rules that require a farmer to obtain a dairy effluent WoF; it is voluntary, much like a building inspection.
The assessor checks the entire farm, looking at where effluent collects and the corresponding infrastructure, e.g. feedpads, underpasses, storage ponds and the irrigation network.
DairyNZ says the WoF is different from council inspections and Fonterra checks: it is more thorough than either of these, and is practical and diagnostic.
For instance, the assessor will insert a flow meter and pressure gauge into the main line to see if there is a problem with the pump. They also inspect a farm’s irrigator, test application depth and average rate, and calculate the amount of storage for the farm’s effluent management system.
A list of certified assessors is available online. www.effluentwof.co.nz.
Most vineyards require irrigation at some point. Deciding when and how much is required is a powerful management tool that directly affects fruit production, disease pressure, and even operational passes.
Waikato Regional Council has sought an interim Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to stop piggery effluent from entering a waterway north of Te Aroha.
Reports of effluent being illegally dumped from trucks in three locations in Waikato have prompted calls for trucking companies and farmers to improve their practices.
Two Bay of Plenty farmers have been slapped with fines totalling $28,000 for effluent management breach.
A wetter than usual irrigation season has hindered data collection efforts for Canterbury dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
