increase font size
Part of the achievements of the Sustainable Water Accord include riparian guides for every region.
Joint work by industry and the Government has been vital to agriculture making progress on environmental issues.
Industry body DairyNZ highlighted this progress recently in its three-year update of the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord report, which showed what farmers have done to protect the environment.
Achievements included riparian guides for every region, award-winning planning resources for the industry, nutrient budgets processed for 9500 farmers (83% of the industry) and certification for 130 nutrient management advisers to help farmers adopt best practices in adding nutrients sustainably.
Because of these and other actions, significant non-compliance for dairy effluent was down to just 5.2% nationwide, the lowest on record.
Much of this work was supported by the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme, a seven-year, $170 million scheme led by DairyNZ and Fonterra, and partnered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is aimed at creating new dairy products, increasing farm productivity, reducing environmental impacts and improving agricultural education.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says many of the achievements would not have been possible without the PGP, “working collaboratively to support the science and training to build capability in the dairy sector on these issues. The programme has helped us get through this challenge”.
Better effluent and nutrient management was a key issue addressed. PGP initiatives included building an infrastructure -- largely from scratch -- of accreditation, and certification for farmers and the rural professionals who support them. Fertiliser companies and regional councils are involved.
“We have seen changes in business models as companies servicing the farming sector align with the need for improvements in managing farm issues such as off-paddock facilities and effluent non-compliance,” said Mackle.
He said the partnership involved in the programme had helped the industry get to grips with the scale of what needed to be done.
“We set big goals and if we’d worked alone to achieve them it would have cost more, taken longer and probably not seen such effective outcomes.”
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy believes there will be many “long-lasting legacies” from the programme.
“The focus on protecting the environment and managing resources sustainably, for example nutrients and effluent, will have enduring benefits for generations to come,” he said.
“One good example is the Nutrient Management Advisor Certification Programme. There are now 130 graduates of this advising farmers on how to manage nutrients more effectively to increase productivity, while minimising environmental impacts.
“The innovation, and the benefits that come from this, wouldn’t have been possible without the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain programme. It has accelerated thinking and is achieving innovations well beyond what would otherwise have been possible.”
• Rob Mitchell is the communications manager for Transforming the Dairy Value Chain PGP.
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown has waded into the debate around soaring butter prices, pointing out that the demand for dairy overseas dictates the price to farmers and at the supermarket.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…
