NZ Dairy Winter 2021

90 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Ardern family Neville Ardern believes uncertainty around current freshwater regulations is leaving many farmers hesitant to commit money to development. Regulatory uncertainty stalls growth • from page 88 “The Taranaki Regional Council has had a good rapport with farmers and a lot of riparian planting has been done over the years, but that good will is now evaporating at a great rate of knots. The reality is we’re doing nothing wrong, but the environment we’re operating in is very stressful.” “Noel does all the ground development work, puts the fertiliser on, sprays, does harvesting and baling; Thomas is fully cow oriented. They’re both totally different but get on really well.” In Taranaki, the season has been “really favour- able” and at time of writing, it was anticipated that milking would continue on the three farms through to the end of May. “We’re pleased that there’s a good payout to go with it.” In March, Fonterra raised its forecast farmgate milk price for the season and was expecting to pay farmers between $7.30 and $7.90 per kilogram of milk solids, well up on previous guidance issued in February. In spite of good milk prices, Neville believes that many farmers will be hesitant about commit- ting money to development because of current uncertainties arising from the freshwater regulatory environment. He cites a recent example on one of their farms involving an abatement notice being served by the Taranaki Regional Council over drainage work being done on land that they ruled was a wetland. Neville says this land had in fact been drained before in the 1980s and they were simply catching up with maintenance. The issue wassubsequently resolved and the drainage work was allowed to resume, but at some cost and delay. “The Taranaki Regional Council has had a good rapport with farmers and a lot of riparian planting has been done over the years, but that good will is now evaporating at a great rate of knots. The reality is we’re doing nothing wrong, but the environment we’re operating in is very stressful.” Neville also chairs the Cold Creek Community Water Scheme that delivers drinking water to people and stock in the area, serving some 100 dairy farms. “It is potable water but another worry we have is whether we will be able to meet future compliance standards and what the implications of that are for our community.” S A G Contracting Ltd Earthworks, Drainage and Metal Supplies. Proud to support Merivale Farms Phone Steve Gibson 027 475 2006 Email: admin@aakland.co.nz Website: www.aakland-chemicals.co.nz 88 Treffers Road, PO Box 323, Sockburn Free On-Farm Delivery Free On-Farm Service Our quick response mobile service vehicles provide emergency repair and we’re well equipped to respond to today’s increasingly varied and often unique field service demands. You can count on Hydraulink to have the right solution first time, every time. If you are involved in mining, agriculture, transport, forestry, the marine industry – any industry that needs fast, effective and reliable hose and hydraulic services – we can help you get the job done no matter how much pressure you’re under, 24/7 0800 80 66 66 wwww.hydraulink.com Schuler Concrete Farm Buildings, Concrete laying, Concrete supplies Bevan Schuler 027 827 2849 bevanschuler@hotmail.co.uk 594 Palmer Road RD 29 Kaponga