Farming
Environment Southland wants to work with farmers and the dairy industry to develop effluent strategies that will result in achieving the community's goals for water quality and dairy farmers' compliance with their resource consent conditions.
To help dairy farmers manage farm dairy effluent, the Farm Dairy Effluent booklet was produced and aims to achieve the following:
- Guidance on storage of dairy effluent, including construction of storage ponds.
- Advice on management and maintenance of irrigation systems, including information about low application systems such as a pod system.
- Guidance on how to comply with consent conditions, particularly those concerning effluent application rates.
- Information about soil types, topography and the risk of surface runoff, leaching or flow into tile drains.
- Advice on minimising water use and total effluent volume.
- Advice on nutrient management.
A summary of the rules in all the plans relevant to farming has also been created and can be downloaded here:
Other useful factsheets and publications:
Discharge Plan Project
Since early 2010, Environment Southland has been working collaboratively with the dairy industry on reviewing its approach to farm dairy effluent. The aim is to have a practical regime based on sound science that addresses environmental effects but does not unnecessarily constrain dairy farmers’ freedom to operate. A new approach has been developed, underpinned by a scientific report prepared by AgResearch that matches effluent management practices to different soils and slope.
Relevant background material can be downloaded below:
Effluent Land Application Plan
This Plan covers waste treatment schemes, treatment of foul water by septic tanks, toilet facilities at visitor centres, rest areas and at tramping track huts, campervan discharges, stock truck discharges, trade wastes, and other discharges that may have an effect on groundwater and surface water quality and public health in Southland. The plan looks at how Environment Southland will manage effluent and sludge in Southland.
This plan is currently under review as part of the Discharge Plan project.
Agricultural effluent ponds
Agricultural effluent ponds are constructed for a range of purposes. In Southland, they are generally constructed to provide storage so that farm dairy effluent can be applied when soil conditions are suitable. Many ponds are also used to store the agricultural effluents, sludges and slurries generated from wintering pads and barns or other farm infrastructure.
Scientific research has highlighted the importance of storage to provide a buffer to avoid applying agricultural effluent to wet soils. Storage is particularly important in Southland because of our wet climate, extensive mole and tile drainage network, high water table and soil types. As a result of this scientific research, there have been many new agricultural effluent ponds constructed in Southland in recent times. With the move to the new systems, problems have arisen with leaking ponds due to poor design and/or construction and inappropriately located ponds.
A rule and policy regarding the design and construction of agricultural effluent ponds was added to the Water Plan in March 2009. These provisions became operative on 13 April 2010. A Code of Practice was also created and is intended to highlight the critical elements of good pond design and construction. The relevant documentation can be found on the Water Plan page.
Dairying and Clean Streams Accord
Dairying, like most intensive land use including urban areas, impacts on water quality and water environments. The ongoing intensification of existing dairy farms and the expansion of dairying into new regions have increased the importance of addressing impacts on water environments.
Set up in 2003, it is an accord between Fonterra Co-operative Group, Regional Councils, Ministry for the Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It provides a statement of intent and framework for actions to promote sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand. It focuses on reducing the impacts of dairying on the quality of New Zealand streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater and wetlands.
Vist the MfE Website.
Climate Change Seminar
View the information presented at a public seminar led by Climate Scientist Jim Salinger and business commentator Rod Oram on what Southland's rural sector can expect in a changing climate.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.