Major recycling opportunities exist for rural waste, according to a new report.

THE WAIKATO REGIONAL Council has confirmed it will suspend use of helicopters for monitoring dairy farm effluent compliance pending a review of its methods for checking farmers are working within the rules to protect waterways.

HAVING ADEQUATE storage to stop effluent being sprayed on to pasture at the wrong time is starting to become the new normal for Waikato dairy farmers, says the author of a report to Waikato Regional Council's environmental performance committee.

A HALT TO Waikato Regional Council monitoring of farm effluent issues by helicopter has been recommended pending a review of the council's environmental rule enforcement methods.

HOW TO AVOID effluent ponds leaking or even collapsing is the topic of an education day being run by Waikato Regional Council on April 30, with Debbie Care of AgVice.

About 650 farmers, a record number, turned out for the fourth Effluent Expo, held at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Tuesday.

THE WAIKATO Regional Council and stakeholders are discussing potential action if dry, drought-like conditions continue in parts of the Waikato and South Auckland.

New tax breaks that will contribute to protecting water quality have been welcomed by a regional council.

A company that owns a number of farms in South Waikato has been fined more than $30,000 for illegally discharging dairy effluent into the environment.

The Waikato Regional Council's implementation of Variation 6 for the farming community is now rolling out to the Lower Waikato and West Coast catchments.