Preliminary monitoring figures for the 2010/11 dairy season (to the end of May) show that 65% of Canterbury dairy farms were fully compliant with effluent discharge consent or permitted activity conditions. This is a shift from 59% last year, and 43% in 2008/09.
For three years, a working group from DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Synlait, NZ Dairies and SIDDC have been working with Environment Canterbury to provide tailored advice and information on effluent management to the region’s dairy farmers. AgITO have also recently joined to further strengthen these initiatives.
DairyNZ strategy and investment leader (Sustainability) Dr Rick Pridmore said the latest results illustrate the success an industry-wide approach can have and the real efforts farmers are putting in on a daily basis to ensure their systems are operating well.
“We’ve seen improvements year after year now, which is really great to see,” said Pridmore. “The hard work being done out on farms is really paying dividends and this progress is important for our industry.”
Environment Canterbury, which visited 900 dairy farms this season, also found minor non-compliance has fallen to 26%, from 33%. However, like last season, significant non-compliance was again 9%.
Effluent ponding (discharging effluent too close to a waterway) and nitrogen overloading are common issues for significant non-compliance.
Federated Farmers senior policy advisor Lionel Hume said the results show farmers are more aware of their responsibilities and how to manage their farms in a compliant way.
“Farmers are looking carefully at their farm systems and how they operate them,” he said. “Of course, effluent management isn’t just about compliance. It is valuable as a fertiliser and ultimately is a cost-efficient farm resource, so it makes sense to make good use of it.”
Source: DairyNZ
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