| 43 ‘An example of industry excellence’ While freshwater issues vary across the country, the FarmIQ Freshwater Farm Tool was designed to be a national resource. Aimee Wilson RURAL SERVICES » Farm IQ FarmIQ’s new Freshwater Farm Plan tool has been recognised by Beef + Lamb NZ as an example of industry excellence through its Livestock Technology Award. Twelve months ago, FarmIQ started contemplating how their online mapping software could be enhanced to help farmers plan to reduce their farm’s impact on freshwater. Dr Todd White, who has a PhD in pastoral science, and environmental specialist, Tara Hegarty, worked with the development team to create a simple but powerful tool within FarmIQ. It was built to align with the 2023 Freshwater Farm Plan regulations. Tara coordinated input from farmers, rural professionals, scientists and both the Waikato Regional Council and Environment Southland - the first two regions that implemented these rules. Currently, the Government is reviewing the regulations. FarmIQ will roll with any changes and keep the tool up to regulatory standards while remaining simple to use and valuable for farmers. Dr White says “FarmIQ is all about helping farmers with compliance as well as the day-to-day running of their farms.” The first of its kind in New Zealand, the Freshwater Farm Plan tool is also used by consultants to help break down jargon and technology barriers for landowners having to implement the new regulations. FarmIQ started in 2010, and in 2021, merged with FARMAX, home of powerful farm modelling and benchmarking tools. FarmIQ is farm management software, and most farm activities can be managed through the map, from logging land applications to allocating livestock to paddocks. The Freshwater Farm Plan tool is also mapcentric. It helps farmers understand what the freshwater rules are and works with them to achieve those outcomes by identifying risks to freshwater and establishing an action plan. “Farmers are now being asked to do so much more by central and regional authorities, and this may impact their right to farm,” Dr White said. The feedback within the farming sector has been really positive, “and we’ve had support from the market to dive into this early on,” Tara said. The Freshwater Farm Plan tool will reduce uncertainty and save farmers’ time. It helps them work alongside consultants who have the subject expertise to support them. “It’s about breaking down the task into do-able chunks.” Hundreds of farmers around the country have already started using the new tool since it was released six months ago. Dr White said many milk and meat processors were also asking for proof of good farming management, and landowners were getting rewarded for the products they supplied if they had good practices in place. The tool provides opportunity for accountability, transparency, and collaboration, creating reports for experts and authorities to review - really setting the standard in the industry. While freshwater issues vary across the country, the FarmIQ Freshwater Farm Tool was designed to Spring into your best season yet with our all-in-one farm management tool farmiq.co.nz COOL ROOMS & F R E E Z E R S 0800 522 665 WWW.MADE2COOL.CO.NZ • Portable or Built in • Accessories sold separately Freezer / Chiller Rooms For Sale or Lease be a national resource that could be customised to each catchment and each farm’s priorities, Tara said. “Because farming in the Waikato is not the same as in Southland, and we’re passionate about supporting all Kiwi farmers.”
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