Prosecution initiated over piggery effluent discharges
Waikato Regional Council is taking Te Aroha piggery farm to court following an investigation into the discharge of effluent into a stream.
Soil moisture levels are plummeting across the Waikato and South Auckland, according to the Waikato Regional Council.
The moisture levels, a result of ongoing dry conditions, are being monitored closely by local agricultural industry representatives.
The Waikato Primary Industry Adverse Event Cluster core group convened this week to review conditions and how farmers are coping.
“Drought-like conditions have been a feature of Waikato farming in recent summers, so it’s good to see farmers are generally well-prepared,” said Ohinewai farmer and group chairperson, Neil Bateup.
“There is plenty of supplementary feed about for stock at present following a good spring and farmers generally are reported to be coping. The crunch time for many is the next 2-3 weeks.
“It isn’t an easy time for our cropping farmers, though – I’ve heard from some that turnips look like radishes and maize in some areas of the Waikato is starting to wilt,” says Bateup, who is also Rural Support Trust chairman.
No significant rain is forecasted for the region in the near future. |
As a result of the dry conditions, river and stream levels around the region are also getting low, so water users are also reminded by Waikato Regional Council to keep an eye on flow gauges.
Flows are published on the council website and will enable users to reduce takes, as required by some consents when rivers reach certain low flow thresholds, to help look after the region’s waterways.
So far this month many parts of the region – in particular the north Waikato, Hauraki Plains and Coromandel Peninsula – as well as South Auckland, have only had a few millimetres of rain.
“With no significant rain forecast for the region in the near future we want to reassure Waikato farmers that we’ve got this situation on our radar and we’re looking out for them,” says Bateup.
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.
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