increase font size
Effluent pond at the Tumunui Dairy property. Image: Waikato Regional Council.
A fantastic dairy farmer turnout at a recent effluent management field day is a sign of the sector's commitment to doing the right thing by the environment, says organiser Jon Palmer.
"We had about a total of 100 farmers and industry professionals coming along to the field day at the Tumunui Dairy property to see how its great effluent system works," says Palmer, a sustainable agricultural advisor at Waikato Regional Council. The farmers were from the Reporoa and Waikite area.
"It's excellent to see such strong farmer interest in managing dairy effluent in a way that both protects the environment and enhances profits by using nutrients in effluent to boost farm production."
Besides staff from the regional council, farmers at last week's event south of Rotorua were able to consult experts from DairyNZ, AgFirst and OPUS. Dairy companies Fonterra and Miraka were also on hand to talk about their environmental initiatives.
The field day builds on work the council is doing to engage directly with farmers in the area one-to-one to help them ensure their effluent management systems are up to scratch, with a reasonable amount of time given to make improvements where required. It's part of a new region-wide approach the council has been implementing in recent years.
"Farmers have been responding positively to this approach," says Palmer.
The council's sustainable agriculture team is on 0800 800 401 and more effluent management advice is available at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/forfarmers
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
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.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Cash flow budgeting is going to be critical for dairy farmers in the coming season.
DairyNZ has appointed Jacqueline Rowarth as its first deputy board chair.
James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatu impressed judges and took out the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award.
Manawatu farmers Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha have scooped the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Females are dominating the veterinary profession worldwide and many farmers are welcoming this change in the composition of the profession, says Britain's Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Professor Christine Middlemiss.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
