Otago Regional Council’s Dairy Focus Farm programme has been completed after six years of providing guidance to and sharing knowledge with dairy farmers on caring for the environment on their properties.

In a report to a recent ORC Environmental Science Committee meeting, Land Resources Manager Susie McKeague said it was appropriate and timely that the project was concluded this year as other providers were now supporting dairy farmers and more companies were investing in product development. DairyNZ also planned to take a greater role in environmental issues.

The aim of the project was to work with industry to demonstrate and promote new technology in the area of environmental best practice. Goals met by the project include:

* Information sharing
Best practice knowledge has been discussed and disseminated among farmers, consultants and contractors through newsletters, field days, industry discussion groups, catchment meetings, one-on-one communication, and newspaper coverage.
* ORC rules communicated
Meetings have been held between staff and effluent management contractors and consultants to ensure ORC rules and expectations are known throughout the industry.
* Real-time soil moisture data
ORC, with funding assistance from Dairy Insight, has installed soil moisture sensors in South and West Otago, and the Clutha Delta. Soil moisture data is transmitted to ORC’s website www.orc.govt.nz and is available to help farmers make environmentally-sound effluent management decisions. This information is particularly useful during wetter periods in the spring and autumn to assist irrigation management by comparing the actual soil moisture content with soil moisture content at field capacity on any particular day. The information can be used in association with other best management practices to ensure the correct and safe application of dairy shed effluent.
* Low rate effluent irrigation
ORC has been involved with the development and promotion of the low pressure effluent irrigation system over several years through a MAF Sustainable Farming Fund project. This system has been modified and perfected through farmer ingenuity and professional assistance. Effluent can now be applied at low application depths allowing better pasture absorption of nutrients. This gives better financial outcomes for the farm and improves environmental protection for streams and soils. The system has been adopted by many South and West Otago farmers on mole and tile land.
* Effluent application with centre pivot irrigators
Applying effluent as a diluted mix through centre pivot irrigators is a new concept being adopted in the drier areas of Otago which has environmental and on-farm advantages. ORC staff have been informing farmers about the concept and benefits of this operation.
* Undercover wintering
ORC has supported moves by the dairy industry into undercover wintering feed areas. These retain cow condition, prevent structural damage to the soil and eliminate the nutrient overload on wet soils that occurs through outdoor greenfeed wintering systems.

The programme has successfully met its goals and its conclusion meant that ORC’s land resources team could focus on water quality and emerging land use intensification issues, Ms McKeague said.

“The team will continue to ensure farmers and industry stakeholders are aware of the ORC rules and the environmental impacts of farm management choices and are well-informed about what is required to ensure their farm practices are compliant with the rules.”

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