Tuesday, 25 March 2014 08:26

Get your system checked

Written by 

DAIRY FARMERS can now get their effluent system assessed by an independent, certified assessor.

 

The Dairy Effluent 'Warrant of Fitness' (WOF) programme, developed with the support of DairyNZ, is being launched at the Waikato Effluent Expo at Mystery Creek today (March 25).

DairyNZ's Sustainability team leader, Dr Theresa Wilson, says a consistent method was needed for assessing an effluent system to ensure it is fit for purpose for the farm.

"Many farmers have been upgrading their effluent system over the last few years. Getting it assessed by an independent expert to see if it meets the grade gives them peace of mind," says Theresa.

"A WOF assessor will look at the farm's complete effluent infrastructure. They will point out areas of risk and suggest practical actions a farmer can take to ensure their system is capable of being compliant 365 days a year."

The three to four hour assessment will also cover the farm's effluent consents and permitted rules, the storage capacity, nutrient loadings, soil risk, irrigator performance, off-pasture infrastructure and general health and safety requirements.

"Farmers that are planning an upgrade and are not sure which parts of the system need addressing will find it very useful talking to an independent expert," says Theresa.

"If you are buying or selling a farm, if you are a sharemilker moving onto a new property or part of a group owning a farm, it makes sense to call in a WOF assessor to understand how well the effluent system is performing."

While more professionals are undergoing training and certification in the coming months, farmers can already choose from a number of certified WOF assessors at www.effluentwof.co.nz.

More like this

Inequality 'is on the rise'

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is warning that inequality between countries has fallen markedly over the past 200 years but inequality and political polarisation within countries was on the rise.

Fonterra sticking to $10/kgMS milk price

Fonterra has reaffirmed a forecast milk price mid-point of $10/kgMS for its farmer shareholders, with just over two months of the 2024-25 season left to run.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

Data crucial to managing water

Watermetrics was formed as a water data collector and currently supplies and services modern technology such as flow meters, soil…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Dairy power

OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter