lake ngaroto dairy farmers using best practice

8/11/2019 Lake Ngaroto Dairy Farmers using Best Practice

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FACTSHEET

BEST MANAGEMENT

PRACTICES IN THE LAKENGAROTO CATCHMENT

SEPTEMBER 2013

This factsheet provides farmers in the Ngarotocatchment with current information on BMPswhich can be implemented on farm to reduce

the impact farming has on the lake.

Eight farms in the catchmenthave had Whole Farm Planscarried out during 2012 2013. Many of the BMPsalready being implemented arehighlighted over the page; along

with recommendations fromHeadlands consultants for actionsthat would beneft the lake and

the surrounding environment.

MAIN THREATS TO LAKE NGAROTO

Nutrients and Sediment

Although nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are criticalfor farm production, excess quantities entering lakes(through surface runoff, subsurface ows and viadrains and streams) can be extremely damaging. Evensmall increases cause weeds or undesirable speciesto proliferate producing algal blooms. Increasedsediment entering the lake results in poor clarity ofthe water which in turn affects the ora and fauna ofthe lake.

Drainage and cultivation

of the surrounding PeatlandDrainage and cultivation of peat soils for pasture andcropping results in oxidation and shrinkage of peatsoil that cannot be reversed.Deepening drains lowers the water table in surroundingfarmland. However, the water level in nearby peatlakes becomes higher than the surrounding watertable, causing water to spill out onto neighbouringland. Lake levels in the peat lakes are then lowered toprevent ooding.


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NUTRIENT USE AND EFFICIENCY: Use a combination of herbage and block speci c

soil testing to determine exact pasture nutrientrequirements so that fertiliser is not over applied butkey de ciencies can be identi ed.

Use of minimal cultivation techniques to minimisesoil and nutrient loss to water by reducing the

amount of soil that is prone to runoff during thespring and winter. Direct drilling and strip tillcultivation techniques also conserve valuable soilorganic matter and minimise peat shrinkage.

Timing applications of N fertiliser to when thepasture is actively growing reduces N losses to theenvironment.

G.P.S is now available by most fertiliser spreadersand should be used where possible for proof ofplacement of fertiliser.

Recommendation that every farm have an accurateup-to-date Overseer nutrient budget done for theirfarm. This should be used by a quali ed nutrientadvisor to formulate nutrient recommendations forthe farm.

Farmers should aim to understand the N leachingand P loss gures generated by Overseer and aimto reduce these losses over time by adapting farmmanagement strategies where possible.

FARM SYSTEM AND DESIGN: Accurately assessing your farms long term average

annual pasture harvests and matching the stockingrate accordingly. This reduces overstocking,improves per cow ef ciency and reduces the lossof N via leaching. These changes also ensurethat businesses are resilient and less vulnerable touctuations in weather and milk payout.

Farms with a higher percentage of pasture as thediet tend to have lower costs of production as well

as lower stocking rates. Lower cost of production isstrongly correlated with pro tability.

Crops such as chicory and plantain have a betteraccess to nutrients and good summer growingqualities using ef uent on these crops results inimproved nutrient ef ciency of applied ef uent.

FARM INFRASTRUCTURE:

Tracks/races should be well maintained andrunoff directed to paddocks where nutrients andsediment can be ltered by the pasture beforeentering waterways.

Good maintenance of fences around peat drainsto ensure stock exclusion.

PHYSICAL RESOURCES: Biodiversity is becoming increasingly important,

riparian and wetland planting, and retiring steeperland to native plantings will not only reduce theamount of runoff reaching water courses but willalso help improve habitats for valuable insectsincluding bees, and birds. Planting also improvesthe aesthetics of the farm.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is contained inphosphate fertiliser it is estimated that 8.3 tonnesare applied to Waikato soils each year. It canbe tested as part of your routine soil test. Excesscadmium in your soils may limit market access and

potential subdivision in the future.

PEOPLE AND THE BUSINESS: Investment of time and money on training staff will

improve the performance of any farm business. Byensuring that staff are aware of all the aspects offarming i.e. economic, social and environmentallysustainable, it is more likely that the farm willachieve good outcomes in all of these areas.

Deep rooting plants.

Drains fenced and planted.


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CHECKLIST OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTISES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER) WHICH ONES ADOING?

Action on Farm Beneft to Environment

Strategic use of fertiliser Low use of synthetic N and Soluble P reduces amount lost toenvironment.

Good water use ef ciency achieved throughrecycling

Reduced water take.

Upgrade of races on farm Runoff from races diverted into paddocks, avoiding direct runoff towaterways.

All waterways and drains fenced Stock excluded from waterways reduces faecal matter in thewater and erosion of soil from the land and reduces nutrients andpathogens entering the lake.

Staff trained in the application of fertiliser No urea spread directly into waterways.

Monitoring soil fertility levels with regular soil

testing and applying accordingly

Reduces over application of soluble N & P fertiliser.

Planting deep rooting summer active species(Chicory and Plantain)

Improves nutrient ef ciency, helps cow productivity and drawsnutrients from deep in the soil.

Animal shelter, with sealed base, forwintering cows

Reduced pugging and pathogen loss in high risk months, soilprotection and reduced runoff.

Feeding cereals to improve dietary balance Reduces the protein load for the cows which reduces urea load inurine, thus reducing leaching loss to groundwater.

Retiring and planting areas that are wet andswampy

Grazing the wet/swampy areas causes signi cant soil disturbanceresulting in Phosphate loss through soil erosion. Retiring wetlands isa major bene t to Lake Ngaroto as it reduces the Phosphate loadsof the drains leaving the farm.

Ef uent is applied to >30% of the farm andthere is adequate storage. Manual stormwater diversion is available

This results in better nitrogen conversion ef ciency and utilisation ofa valuable nutrient resource. All cowshed and feed pad ef uent iscaptured and pumped from the ef uent pond. The large pond isthen empty going into winter.

Feed pad is used for stand-off over wet,winter months

Some pugging is avoided and soil loss is reduced.

No winter cropping is done Reduces soil loss via runoff that occurs during winter high rainfallevents.

Converting pine plantations to a morediverse selection of trees, including natives

Provides a sustainable wood lot for the future. Supports naturalbiodiversity and improves long term aesthetic value of the property.

Planting steep sidlings and retiring andplanting wet seeps in hillsides

Reduction of soil erosion and nutrient losses, improves carbonsequestration and will also support biodiversity.

Wetland restoration Runoff from farms is ltered through the wetland, protection ofvulnerable areas from stock simultaneously protecting stock frommisadventure. Planting native wetland species can also providenesting sites, food and shelter for wildlife as well as adding to thenatural character of the area.

Low stocking rate with high pasture harvest Very low nutrient loss risk. Aids soil protection. Is a low cost andresilient farm system.

Low rate application for ef uent usingLARRALL system

Low applications and good storage means there is the ability tostore ef uent and use at a low rate when soil moisture levels aresuitable to allow best nutrient ef ciency and low risk to receivingenvironment.


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For more information contact Nardene Berry and/orMelinda Dresser at the NZ Landcare Trust:Email: [email protected]: 07 8593745

Nardene: 07 8593725www.landcare.org.nz

NOTES FOR MY FARM:

This factshet is an update tothe 2012 BMP factsheet.
http://www.landcare.org.nz/files/file/843/Ngaroto%2520BMP%2520Factsheet.pdfhttp://www.landcare.org.nz/files/file/843/Ngaroto%2520BMP%2520Factsheet.pdf

lake ngaroto dairy farmers using best practice

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