Change key to survival
Farmers should take a positive view of new environmental requirements in the Selwyn-Waihora zone, because there may be marketing opportunities from embracing the new regime, Leeston cropping farmer Dave Birkett says.
A few weeks ago, Environment Canterbury [Ecan] sent a package of information to many SelwynWaihora farmers reminding them of their responsibility to meet nutrient management limits and help them discover if they would need a land use consent to farm this year. About 900 landowners in the catchment will require a consent to farm.
These measures were due to decreased flows in lowland streams and the Selwyn River, increased nitrate concentrations in shallow groundwater and the poor health of Lake Ellesmere-Te Waihora.
Birkett was aware some farmers were still resisting getting up to speed on the new requirements despite a July deadline.
‘‘Why should we do this, farmers ask? But if you get a consent it means you have the right to farm as long as you follow the rules. Once done and dusted it gives you security. Going forward this might be quite a powerful marketing opportunity,’’ he said.
Birkett was one of the farmers required to apply for consent to farm his 180 hectare cropping farm because it was included in the phosphorous zone near Lake Ellesmere-Te Waihora.
This was despite a nitrate loss less than the limit of 15 kilograms per hectare per year. He said he understood the fear and confusion in the community but farmers would benefit long-term from becoming compliant and addressing environmental concerns in the zone.
‘‘While change is hard to stomach it is part and parcel of farming today and being adaptive is the key to survival,’’ he said.
‘‘This zone has always been the guinea pig. It’s aways been the first cab off the rank. But NCheck will save growers $7000 a year for four years until they get Overseer working on arable systems.
‘‘And if your NCheck comes in under 15kg this is all you need to do. Most arable farmers in our district have a low nutrient loss or will fall into that bracket. So they should just get it done.’’
NCheck is a simple way to work out nitrogen losses and to work out if a land use consent to farm is required.
Selwyn-Waihora zone manager Michaela Rees said many people were already doing the right thing or were on track to do so.
‘‘They will need to apply for a consent to farm if their property is over 10 hectares, and their nitrogen losses exceed 15kg or any part of their property is within the cultural or phosphorus and sediment areas.’’
Rees said there were several steps farmers needing a consent were required to take and Ecan and industry bodies were available to help.
The steps involved were to create a farm environment plan [FEP]; prepare a nutrient budget; apply for consent; have the FEP audited, and plan for further nitrogen loss reduction.
Birkett said consented farming would help allay some of the public’s concerns about farming’s impact on water quality.