Wairarapa Field Day to Unlock Dairy Potential

NEW ZEALAND - Boosting farm profits, improving nutrient efficiency and creating a sustainable dairying operation are the focuses of a field day being held for farmers in the Wairarapa.

21 November 2008

2 minute read

Oceania

Fonterra, DairyNZ, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Federated Farmers are offering farmers detailed and practical advice for managing their resources. Farmers will talk over solutions to common effluent issues on James Smallwood’s Greytown dairy farm, using the Farm Enviro Walk resource as their guide.

Effluent treatment options including travelling irrigators, the value of effluent, and best practice effluent application are sure to be hot topics for farmers according to DairyNZ sustainability developer Mike Bramley.

“It’s a good chance for farmers who’re looking hard at their budgets to see just how much potential is already there on their farm. We hope to help them unlock that potential with practical advice on managing their resources in a sustainable way,” Mr Bramley said. “This day is about future proofing your farm.”

John Hutchings, Fonterra’s General Manager of Sustainable Production, said effluent management is a critical part of the overall farm system.

“The field day is a great opportunity for farmers to lift performance in this crucial area, allowing them to keep up to date with new technology, review their system and get practical advice to ensure it meets both the needs of their farm and regional council standards.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council Environmental Regulation Manager Alistair Cross welcomed the opportunity to work with DairyNZ, Fonterra and Federated Farmers to assist farmers with their effluent management.

"We see the field day as a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of adopting best practice effluent management systems to help farmers meet their consent conditions and ensure dairying is both economically successful and environmentally responsible."

Local Federated Farmers Provincial President Anders Crofoot said the information being presented at the event was well timed.

“Farmers are looking hard for ways to trim input costs. The groups involved have experts on offer with some tips for farmers to make some easy savings, so we’re urging farmers to come along, hear from these experts and chat about the solutions with other farmers.”