West Coast resilience tested
DairyNZ head consulting officer in the South Island, Tony Finch, says his first priority has been to get an accurate assessment of the extent of the damage on farms affected by the floods.
In December, the Southland Advisory Group recommended the Government make several changes to rules under the Government’s National Environmental Standard for Freshwater. These included amendments to pugging and resowing dates.
“DairyNZ supports the group’s recommendations to the government that aim to ensure winter grazing rules are clear and achievable for farmers, and lead to better environmental outcomes,” says DairyNZ chair, Jim van der Poel.
“The advisory group and the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries have been working positively together to make the regulations practical and effective, and we are keen to see a decision announced on the outcome.”
Southland dairy farmer and advisory group member Paul Turner says it is important for farmers to have clarity around what they are doing for next season and beyond in terms of wintering practices.
“People are holding back because they are unsure what to do from a regulatory perspective,” he says.
