Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
The joint effort by DairyNZ and the Waikato River Authority is intended to improve nutrient and sediment loads in the Waipa catchment and encourage more efficient water use.
The Sustainable Milk Plan (SMP) project will be in stages, beginning in spring in the Mangaotama, Mangopiko and Kaniwhaniwha catchments. It is supported by Waikato Regional Council, Waipa District Council, Federated Famers, local iwi, milk supply companies, the fertiliser industry and the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management.
DairyNZ is managing the project, under which a free environmental plan will be handed to farmers to help them assess their businesses for environmental risks and opportunities and help them plan for the future.
The plan outlines specific achievable activities agreed with farmers, developed by DairyNZ consultants who then support the farmers in implementing the plan.
DairyNZ spokesman Adrian Brocksopp says a similar project in the Upper Waikato catchment saw 640 farmers develop sustainable milk plans.
“Our Upper Waikato project was… a good example of farmers caring for water. It was a finalist in the Ministry for Environment and Department of Conservation’s Green Ribbon Awards. Farmer involvement in the project wasn’t compulsory but those in the upper Waikato realised that taking part paid dividends for their own farms, the river and for the wider catchment.
“It’s all about good practice and becoming more efficient in the use of resources which can bring environmental benefits and save money by making operations more efficient.
“They also know that having a sustainable milk plan will give them a head start in coping with changing regulations.”
Project manager Nicola McHaffie says SMPs are not to tell farmers what to do, but to help them identify risks and find practical solutions.
“We’ve created a model that supports farmers to make changes through advice and customised plans. We talk to them about their farm… to set out a plan farmers can see will work for their farms and for the local environment.”
The project is demonstrating to policy makers and the wider community that farmers are committed to sustainable dairying and improved water quality, says McHaffie.
More funding
Another $6 million is available for clean-up projects in Waikato.
The Waikato River Authority last week opened its fifth funding round for river clean-up projects, inviting applications online via its website (below). Applications will close August 14.
As part of the funding process the authority has also reviewed and published its ‘Funding Strategy 2015’, also available online.
Authority co-chairs John Luxton and Tukoroirangi Morgan say funding priorities include the Waipa and lower Waikato River catchment, wetland restoration and projects to improve water quality.
“Our funding strategy is relatively unchanged from the previous year,” says Luxton. “We know many projects require multi-year planning and delivery, so we know we must be consistent in our approach to signal what is important. This will ultimately give the best outcome long-term for the river,”
This year’s funding strategy statement also sets out the river authority’s fencing standards for funded restoration planting. It includes sheep and cattle and electric and standard fencing.
Where project money is spent on land improvement a covenant may be required. This is more likely when project funding exceeds $100,000.
To date the river authority has given $22 million to 141 projects over four funding rounds from 2011.
