Nitrate levels in Christchurch drinking water are not expected to exceed safe drinking levels in the future, says Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd.

How are Canterbury farmers doing their bit to help the environment? Environment Canterbury chairman Steve Lowndes explains.

Environment Canterbury says the Nutrient Management and Waitaki Plan Change, Plan Change 5 to the Land & Water Regional Plan, will take effect on February 1.

A controversial dairy conversion in the Mackenzie Country is now allowed to irrigate, even as Environment Canterbury warns that such intensive farming in the area would not now get approval.

An Environment Canterbury advisor who trained to be a Good Yarn facilitator is now better able to help a farmer who is stressed or mentally ill. 

Environment Canterbury says the long-awaited nationwide release of a new strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus) will go ahead in the next few weeks.

Canterbury dairy farmers are putting money where where their mouths are and playing their part in helping to improve water quality, says Canterbury dairy leader Tom Mason.

A programme, run by independent milk processor Synlait to encourage best practice farming, has been recognised by Environment Canterbury.

DairyNZ says a fall in the number of dairy conversions in Canterbury signals strongly that fears of a big rise in dairying there are unwarranted.

Environment Canterbury's proposed Plan Change 5 is unworkable, says Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury chairman, Michael Salvesen.