Farmers say stock water can mean dollars
Farmers are putting their support behind stock water ‘‘reticulation’’ as a boon to hill country Manawatu and Rangitikei farming which will increase their revenue.
A group of farmers and agriculture consultants are presenting their case to increase more modern stock water systems during the New Zealand Agrifood Investment Week.
The seminars were the result of a study carried out by Agfirst and funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Beef + Lamb New Zealand which focussed on farmers installing systems in the past decade.
Reticulation systems replace streams and dams with water tanks, pumps, pipes and troughs on hill country to make the flow of stock water more efficient.
The study, considered the financial benefits of installing the systems, with analysis revealing farmers on average experienced a rate of return for the life of an reticulation scheme of 53 per cent.
Head of the farmer led sector group Shelley Dew-hopkins said the results would be helpful in encouraging farmers to install reticulation systems.
‘‘The results really speak for themselves, and I would encourage farmers to have a chat to those who already have systems in place, talk to suppliers and come along to the seminars so they can make decisions on the best systems that will suit their property.’’
While the impact on the bottom line was the main focus of the study, other benefits were also identified. They ranged from an increase in stock performance and increased stock numbers to better animal welfare including reducing the impact of drought.
Environmental benefits were also observed with some farmers fencing off waterways and allowing other areas to be protected including dams, wetlands and native bush.
Rangitikei case study farmer William Morrison said they had seen economic benefits from installing stock water reticulation on their farm and the environmental benefits had also been substantial.
‘‘For some, the idea of installing a system and fencing off waterways can be scary. However it doesn’t need to be, it just requires a different type of planning which considers both environmental and production aspects. The result is the pressure on our waterways is reduced, improving water quality and enabling us to better prepare for drought.’’
Agfirst consultant Phil Journeaux said the seminars were targeted at farmers, rural professional and financiers and the results stacked up.
The findings from the study, will be presented at the ASB Innovation Hub during Central Districts Field Days on March 16 and 17.