Collaboration key to environmental work

The theme for this month’s DEL forum in Wellington is ‘Whanaungatanga’ (collaboration).

The forum gives farming leaders an opportunity to connect with each other, policy makers, politicians and other influencers who shape the New Zealand dairy sector.

“Whanaungatanga is about forming and maintaining relationships and strengthening ties between communities,” says Carpenter.

“These connections help the dairy sector and research partners continue to develop climate and water quality mitigation solutions for our pasture-based farms, to accelerate positive change and get ahead of the environmental challenges farmers face,” she says.

“Together, we can continue contributing positively to New Zealand’s environment and economy.”

The March 12-14 forum is designed to help the 70 attending DELs plan how they will support environmental progress in their communities this year, in a changing regulatory environment.

“As DELs, we are committed to sharing our experiences and knowledge with other farmers, to encourage the adoption of positive environmental practices,” Carpenter says.

“There are many challenges and opportunities ahead, and this forum gives farmers the chance to connect, hear different viewpoints and make a positive impact – on-farm and in our communities.”

This year’s forum will bring experts together for panel discussions on how to collaboratively address water quality challenges and how farmers can lower farming-related emissions.

The DELs network was formed by farmers, the NZ Farm Environment Trust and DairyNZ in 2007. It aims to empower leadership and provide opportunities to support and share on-farm actions to reduce environmental footprint and broader sustainability issues. It comprises approximately 400 environmentally focused dairy farmers committed to creating a sustainable future in dairying.

DairyNZ general manager sustainable dairy Dr David Burger says the DEL network’s vision is of environmental stewardship for the future – famer-led practical change across individual farms, catchments and regions.

“The DELs are driven and passionate about the environment. They demonstrate good management practices on their farms, including protecting and enhancing waterways, riparian planting and reducing emissions – to ensure environmental sustainability for future generations,” Burger says.

“Thanks to all the great work from DELs and other dairy farmers around NZ, the sector is embracing environmental change with a positive, future-focused approach. This is about continuous improvement – we acknowledge there is still work to be done,” he says.