88 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Environment Canterbury • from page 86 keep within consents; use of ponds, dams, and reservoirs to store freshwater; irrigation scheduling and control systems; sprinklers, pivots, lateral lines and micro-irrigation systems to prevent waste and use water wisely. Additionally, from wintering barns and herd homes, to catch crops, strategic grazing, riparian buffers, and carefully managed Critical Source Areas (CSAs), farmers are finding innovative and proactive ways to manage environmental risks and build more resilient farming systems. Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) principal farm systems advisor Sarah Heddell said that combining approaches delivers benefits for freshwater quality, as well as soil health, animal welfare and overall farm performance. “We know how challenging it can be to keep nutrients in the paddock, especially after heavy rain events, but the more prepared farmers can be with an effective plan B, C and D, the better,” Sarah said. Off-paddock wintering infrastructure Winter grazing remained an important part of many Canterbury dairy systems, providing feed during periods when grass struggled to grow. However, it can create environmental challenges, particularly during wet conditions when soils were vulnerable to pugging, runoff and nutrient losses. While there are many best practice techniques to mitigating the environmental impact of winter grazing, some farmers were adopting other approaches to winter feed. One example has been the growing use of offpaddock wintering infrastructure. North Canterbury dairy farmer John Faulkner (who is also an Environment Canterbury councillor) recently invested in a composting barn, while Hororata farmer Gary Michael now wintered his herd in three herd homes. For both farmers, the decision was driven by a desire to reduce nutrient losses while maintaining productive farming systems. By taking cows off paddocks during the highestrisk winter months, they were reducing the amount of urine and dung deposited directly onto soils and protecting paddocks from damage during wet weather. John said he expected the benefits to include improved soil structure, faster pasture recovery and reduced nutrient losses. Modelling suggested significant reductions in nitrogen losses, with captured nutrients from the compost bedding returned to the farm’s cropping system, reducing the need for synthetic fertiliser. Gary had seen improvements in cow comfort and farm efficiency since introducing herd homes. With all effluent captured and stored, nutrients could be applied to paddocks later when conditions were suitable, turning what was once a potential loss into a valuable resource. The system also provided flexibility during wet weather or flood events when keeping stock off vulnerable soils becomes critical. While wintering barns were a major investment and wouldn’t suit every farm, they demonstrated how infrastructure could form one part of a broader mitigation package. Strategic farm systems reduce environmental risk For many farmers, some of the most effective actions were simpler and lower cost. Environment Canterbury’s land management advisors encourage farmers to think carefully about how paddocks are prepared before, during and after winter grazing. Nutrients and sediments can move from paddocks into nearby waterways if risks were not well managed. Getting advice on the right nitrogen fertiliser, and then applying the right amount, in the right place at the right time, could deliver significant benefits for both farm productivity and the environment. By matching fertiliser applications to crop and pasture demand, farmers could make the most of every kilogram applied, supporting strong growth while minimising nutrient losses. Good grazing management also played an important role. Practices such as shifting portable water troughs closer to the feed limited soil damage through unnecessary stock movement. Back-fencing and strategically controlling stock movement could also significantly reduce pugging and soil damage. Planning for adverse weather and having a contingency or “Plan B” paddock ready could further reduce risk when conditions deteriorated unexpectedly. Riparian margins and rank grass buffer strips could intercept run-off before it reached rivers, streams and drains. A three-metre setback riparian margin was the usual starting point, but if the farming activity risk goes up then the width of the rank grass buffer would need to increase. Like winter grazing on slopes, where an extra five,10 or even 20 metres of grass could make all the difference.” Avoiding Critical Source Areas (CSAs) Critical Source Areas (CSAs) are areas in paddocks prone to transporting overland drainage and channelling runoff into nearby waterways. More than 30 years experience in industrial instrumentation. accounts@measurements.co.nz 020 4089 9889 Whole SS304 or SS316 body PTFE lining • Robust on submersible, burial water & wastewater • Suitable for chemical full filled flow application Pipe electromagnetic flowmeter • Accurate flow measurement in partially filled and large pipelines. • Measures flow, velocity, volume and level for wastewater, sewage and irrigation systems. 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