fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 30 June 2020 07:55

Farmers up their game

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Cows in a muddy paddock in Southland last year. Photo: Angus Robson. Cows in a muddy paddock in Southland last year. Photo: Angus Robson.

A Waikato environmentalist who led a public campaign against poor winter grazing practices on Southland farms says farmers are making improvements.

Angus Robson, who recently visited Southland farms “just for a look”, is happy with progress being made.

He told Rural News that following the public campaign farmers are looking at winter grazing “with a new set of eyes”.

“Lots of things have improved…it is a journey and we expect more improvements this season,” he says.

Last year’s campaign highlighted cows in knee-deep mud while feeding on winter crops, fodder beet and kale. The campaign included drone footage.

Environment Southland, which launched its first surveillance flight over Southland farms this month, is also reporting improved winter grazing practices.

Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips says early observations from the preliminary flight suggest a better uptake of good management practices, such as fencing of waterways and the creation of buffer zones, with no immediate compliance concerns identified.

“I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen. Farmers appear to have made a real effort, which is exactly what we need. 

“We are mindful that it’s still early in the season and this was only a preliminary flight to get an indication of any issues. Wet weather is inevitable and while this will present challenges, we expect farmers to continue their focus on good wintering practice.”

Robson says he visited dairy farms two weeks ago and was accompanied by Federated Farmers Southland president Geoffrey Young to some farms.

“We visited some farms with Federated Farmers and visited some farms ourselves. We also had conversations with some progressive farmers in the region.”

Robson praised Federated Farmers for launching a 0800 number where anyone can report farms with poor winter grazing practices. The Feds send a support crew to the farm to help the farmer with winter grazing practices.

He says most poor winter grazing practices can been seen from the road but acknowledged drones were used on some farms.

“Ninety per cent of farms can be seen from the road; we do get some drone footage supplied by other parties.”

Environment Southland inspected 145 farms from the air last season. It advised farmers last year that winter grazing practices needed to be significantly improved. A taskforce made up of the council,  DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers, MfE and MPI, was set up to help address the issues.

Phillips said agriculture in Southland is very important to the regional and national economies, but that some farming practices, if not done well, negatively impact water quality. 

“Winter grazing is a high risk activity with regard to water quality and all farmers need to undertake good management practice.”

Phillips says staff are still working through the information and photos gathered during this month’s flight.

“At this stage it looks like we will be looking to arrange follow up advice for a handful of properties that could be at risk of winter grazing issues in wetter weather.”

More like this

SNAs will go - eventually

Despite some earlier confusion around the exact timing, the new Government is moving to reform the way local bodies implement Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) rules on farmland.

Fish returns to farm streams

Environmental work on-farm helps native fish return to streams, that’s what Aparima dairy farmer Ewen Mathieson is discovering.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.