Keep effluent ponds low this summer

DairyNZ has launched a campaign to assist dairy to irrigate from their effluent ponds to keep them as low as possible this summer.

"We want to help remind people to irrigate when conditions allow from midsummer through to early autumn so when the wet weather starts there is as much free storage as possible in the pond," says Theresa Wilson DairyNZ's development project manager for effluent.

"A full pond means you have no storage. We know there are increasing numbers and complexity of issues in managing dairy farms. This campaign aims to ensure effluent ponds have their appropriate priority in the process, somewhere near fuel and crew issues."

To help spread the message, DairyNZ's campaign is using cartoons, a magnetic pond level indicator, t-shirts and – the highlight of the promotion – a 'prize pond' photo competition. Dairy farmers can send in their pictures to show how low their pond can go (see dairynz.co.nz/prizepond) and if you have the best looking pond you'll win a barbecue hosted by former All Black prop, TV sport commentator, radio personality and farmer Richard Loe.

DairyNZ is investigating regular weather reports to assist dairy farmers to bear their ponds in mind when they check the weather for other aspects of their farms.

"Having farmers compare their ponds helps us promote good practice for managing effluent ponds," says Wilson.

"Some farmers also say it can be a psychological issue that full ponds look better than empty ones, so in a light-hearted way we want to show off and celebrate good-looking, empty storage ponds."

It might have light-hearted elements, but the campaign has its serious side. Farmers have made good progress meeting effluent management requirements over the past few seasons. Nationally the rate of serious non-compliance fell to 11% last season on the back of clearer information to farmers and improved infrastructure on farms. Wilson says DairyNZ is supporting farmers to bring this rate down further.

"We know in previous years a few people have been caught out because their ponds were full. They've either had a pond overflowing, or they've irrigated in wet weather because their pond couldn't hold any more effluent. We want to help our farmers by getting ponds ready to take on effluent in spring so they don't add to the non-compliance statistics," she says.

"It also makes good sense to get the valuable nutrients in effluent into the ground now to assist grass and crop growth when growing conditions are good."

Managing effluent storage is only one side of the equation. A pond needs to be well constructed and of an appropriate size to cope with the farm system. Last October DairyNZ and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) released an effluent pond construction guide (see dairynz.co.nz).

Wilson says even the best effluent ponds won't cope if they are full and sustained wet weather hits. "If your pond is at a high level now, irrigate to lower it as soon as you can; it won't be long before winter is upon us."

DairyNZ also has effluent systems advisors available to help with questions on effluent management, as well as extensive resources all available at www.dairynz/effluent