The Real-Time Water Quality project is a grass-roots idea, supported by farmers, catchment groups, and irrigation schemes. Lead by The AgriBusiness Group; we established a team with a diverse skillset – farm systems, nutrient and water quality/hydrology knowledge. This 12-month project is one of 12 successful projects funded through Our Land and Water Rural Professionals Fund.
Read MoreDespite a one-year deferral of the new winter grazing management provisions, farmers are urged to develop a winter management plan now and use this winter to adopt and trial potential new practices.
Read MoreThe response to national environmental issues like freshwater and climate change requires an individualised approach tailored to every unique farm to achieve the overall desired outcomes. Dave Lucock commends the proposed certified farm plans of the new freshwater regulations that would do exactly that.
Read MoreAre you wondering how your N fertiliser use is stacking up against the new freshwater regulations? In this blog post, Charlotte doesn’t just explain the new rules but also offers great insight into how to adapt your farm management practices to comply with them.
Read MoreRecently, new regulations for agricultural intensification have come into effect. Sam Mander breaks down the new requirements and clarifies when resource consents for land use change are required.
Read MoreToday, the new stock exclusion regulations come into force. Dave Lucock takes you through the gist of the new requirements and explains when they start applying to your farm system.
Read MoreRecently, the Government released the action for health waterways package which establishes new requirements for winter grazing management practices. Although the new standards won’t come into effect before May 2021, it is important that farmers familiarise themselves with these rules now, as they have direct implications for upcoming decisions regarding crop and paddock selection in spring this year. Amelia explains what you need to know now and how to adopt the right changes early on.
Read MoreDave Lucock is involved in the Auditor Reference Group that monitors and recommends improvements to the Farm Environment Plan audit process. For instance, the Group helps to develop guidelines for winter grazing management plans that are required as part of FEPs in Canterbury.
Read MoreIn New Zealand, there is a focus on freshwater quality due to serious deterioration of waterways. This has led to primary sectors taking significant action to mitigate their impacts as well as government regulation. The AgriBusiness Group has been working closely within the kiwifruit sector for many years on various sustainability projects, including nutrient management. In this article, we look at how New Zealand’s most valuable horticultural sector is responding to the freshwater challenge and what the upcoming proposed government regulations mean for it.
Read MoreThe recently proposed Essential Freshwater Package raised the discussion once more how thousands of farmers across the country can adapt their systems to collaboratively achieve a common goal. Our environmental consultant Dave Lucock believes that a focus on collaboration and a farm-systems approach should be the answer. And sometimes, squeezing unique farm systems into set regulatory requirements can do more harm than good.
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