9 November, 2011

Compliance rates maintained for season

Horizons’ annual dairy monitoring programme commenced in early September and to date compliance rates for the region are maintaining similar levels to previous years.

So far 265 of the regions 900 dairy farms have been visited by Horizons staff, with 87% graded compliant and a further 3% graded as excellent.

“We have continued to see a mindset change that started last year,” says environmental compliance manager, Alison Russell.

“Farmers are now using the inspections as an opportunity to discuss any issues they might be having and to chat about future ideas with our team.”

One individual who has made use of the resources and knowledge of Horizons staff is Eketahuna dairy farmer Allan Carter. Allan’s farm this year received an excellent compliance grade for the first time, after achieving only a marginally compliant standard 12 months ago.

By the end of 2010 Allan’s resource consent was due for renewal, which was the catalyst for him to update his effluent pond storage system. By working with staff from both Horizons and Dairy NZ, Allan was able to establish the correct sized pond for his farm. He now has 2700 cubic metres of storage in his pond, allowing him to cope with the high levels of rainfall Eketahuna often receives.

“I am really pleased I made the change, with the greater storage I have increased my irrigation area from 20 to 40 hectares,” says Allan.

For Allan building a relationship with Horizons and Dairy NZ was the key.

“If I could make one recommendation from the process I went through, it would be to get as much information as possible from the guys at Horizons and Dairy NZ. They have seen heaps of different systems and processes so they can provide some really good advice about what could suit you.”

DairyNZ Lower North Island regional leader Scott Ridsdale says the dairy industry has focused on working together more closely through DairyLink so that farmers like Allan have access to more workable and consistent information.

The newly formed working group is made up representatives from Horizons, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and Fonterra.

“One example of this collaborative approach is the compliance checklist which we encourage farmers to use, so they can check their effluent systems,” says Mr. Risdale.

“The checklists, available on the DairyNZ website, are designed to help farmers as they go through their systems to ensure all the regulations are met and the administrative conditions of their consent have been fulfilled.”

Horizons’ staff will continue working with dairy farmers to increase compliance rates throughout the summer season.

“This year the dairy team is identifying to farmers whether or not they are ‘at risk’ of non-complying,” says Ms Russell.

“Then those farmers can work with us over the year to ensure their systems will overcome those risks.”

ENDS

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