Potential benefits in compliance framework

Glass, who this week will lead Ravensdown’s ‘getting started with farm environmental planning’ workshop at the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), says many regional councils have chosen to use farm environmental plans (FEPs) to ensure farmers meet environmental obligations. 

“FEPs are increasingly becoming mandatory conditions for resource consent for particular land uses or practices,” Glass says.

 “But if you take time, plan ahead and understand the FEP process, you will see opportunities to optimise your business. Look at it as a successful way to manage environmental risk and future-proof your farm. You can add real value now and in future.”

Glass comments that, for example, GST and National Animal Identification and Tracing, originally thought to be a hindrance, have turned out to be beneficial planning tools. 

“When GST returns were first required, it seemed like there would be no benefit, but in fact it helped farmers focus on budget and variance reporting and for many, provided the necessary prompt to focus more regularly on the financial side of the business.”

The SIDE takes place at Lincoln University from June 22 to 24.  Ravensdown’s workshop, presented by Glass and Ravensdown farm environmental consultant Anna McLachlan, will walk farmers through the nutrient management and irrigation sections of DairyNZ’s Sustainable Milk Plan (SMP). 

The SMP, now being developed, is designed to be a nationwide standard template that meets the requirements of regional councils and milk companies. It is the same as a FEP.

The FEP process is new territory for the industry and only a few professionals have the knowledge and training required to produce plans. Regional councils are also at different stages in deciding how to monitor environmental obligations. “It’s a complex picture, so it will take time to develop and refine,” Glass says.