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Farm operators can minimise the environmental
impact of dairy conversions by getting expert advice on infrastructure
design, says Environment Waikato’s catchment services committee
chairman Andra Neeley.
Mrs Neeley - who represents Waipa-King Country
where some significant conversions are underway - was speaking in
the wake of the recent Waikato Agriculture Summit, where the council
and key agriculture leaders committed to doing more to manage farming’s
effect on the environment.
“Good design of infrastructure during dairy
conversions can help future proof farms from an environmental perspective,”
said Mrs Neeley.
“Getting sound advice will help conversions
reduce the impact of their operations on the health of waterways,
such as the Mokau River.”
EW’s sustainable agriculture coordinator
Gabriele Kaufler said Environment Waikato staff could provide overall
advice, while detailed advice on the actual implementation of conversions
was available from private consultants.
The advice could cover such things as location
of dairy sheds and other infrastructure, which are potential environmental
“hot spots”.
“We would prefer them to come to us for
advice early in the planning process to avoid frustration and unplanned
costs further down the track,” said Ms Kaufler.
“Staff can help them make informed design
decisions that will help protect the value of farmers’ investments
and help future proof newly established dairy farms in terms of
their environmental impacts.”
For example, when it came to preventing shed
effluent getting into waterways, EW said farmers needed to consider
carefully where dairy sheds were placed.
Their distance to waterways and other sensitive
areas needed to be considered carefully, as did the siting of other
infrastructure such as effluent storage ponds, feedpads and standoff
pads, silage pits, and fuel and agrichemical stores.
“These structures need to be sited at safe distances from
waterways and other sensitive areas,” said Ms Kaufler.
Farmers also needed to consider whether infrastructure
expansion could occur in future while still keeping operations a
safe distance from waterways and sensitive areas.
The construction and siting of races, underpasses,
culverts and waterway crossings were other matters that had to be
planned for and constructed carefully.
Effluent management and storage systems needed
to be sized appropriately for the scale of the operation, and all
components should be sealed to prevent seepage.
Applying effluent to land was best for nutrient
recycling purposes and application systems should be appropriate
for the farm’s soil and contour, and the rain fall conditions
in that area.
Feedpads, standoff pads and silage pits also
needed to be properly sealed, and run-off and leachate from these
required good management.
Where resource consents were needed for various
activities, Ms Kaufler recommended dairy conversions get applications
in early to avoid delays. If people are in doubt regards the need
for consents or over any of the issues mentioned above they can
contact EW.
“The council is very keen to work closely
with conversions to support their efficient and profitable operation
in a way that helps protect the environment. Taking such a partnership
approach can help create a win-win situation for farmers and the
environment.” |
