Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
Adequate storage offers flexibility for effluent application to fit around farm activities and irrigation conditions, according to DairyNZ.
Storage facilities must be sealed so they do not allow contaminants to leak out; all areas where effluent is stored should be sealed to prevent leachate losses to groundwater.
Farmers should avoid locating effluent storage facilities at sites with high water tables or a risk of flooding.
The use of well installed and guaranteed synthetic (e.g. plastic, rubber or concrete) liners is recommended. Farmers may be asked for a producer statement to confirm the pond and liner will meet the construction and sealing requirements of district or regional councils.
It is also vital to manage storage volumes and pond levels throughout the year; an empty pond gives a farm adequate capacity for when the farmer cannot irrigate because of unsuitable conditions, or when extra storage is needed, e.g. at calving.
A full pond may overflow or cause odour problems, and may result in financial loss as a farmer loses control of effluent and the capital investment tied up in the pond.
Seasonal targets
Spring: the pond is filling with effluent, particularly during wet weather, or when the farmers are too busy to manage the effluent system. Small volumes of effluent can be irrigated as soil water deficits allow.
Summer: the pond should be kept as empty as possible.
Autumn: the pond should be maintained at a low level. Try to empty the pond while conditions allow.
Winter: ideally keep the pond empty, or at a low level. Where possible prevent stormwater entering the pond, off unused yard areas, etc. Areas contaminated with dairy effluent cannot be diverted. Consider using the safety escape ladder for pond level marking system.
Storage capacity
You need enough storage for:
- Rainy periods when the soil is too wet to irrigate
- Busy periods when farm labour is stretched and you do not want to irrigate
- Equipment failures (pumps or irrigator), when you cannot irrigate. Adequate storage will allow you to keep effluent for use when nutrients are most needed (i.e. drier months or when putting down a crop).
- An empty pond will give the capacity for when you can’t irrigate because of unsuitable conditions, or if you have factored in extra storage for times of year such as calving.
- A full pond may overflow or cause odour problems, and may result in financial loss as you lose control of effluent and capital investment tied up in the pond.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.