 |
|
 |
| Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry Te Manatu Ahuwhenua, Ngaherehere |
||
Issue 2 August 1999
| From the Editor Welcome to the second issue of MAF RM Update. In this issue we review progress on work being undertaken in the area of developing and promoting better sustainable land management practices through voluntary mechanisms. We are also pleased to incorporate two new sections: a new “letters to the editor” column called “Readers’ Views” and “News Briefs” - a section to inform readers of resource management developments and issues on which MAF is currently working. This issue also includes a questionnaire. MAF is currently reviewing how it disseminates information and we would like to find out how our readers would most like to receive future issues of MAF RM Update. Would you prefer to receive it electronically via e-mail, on the website or as a printed copy like this one? Please take a moment to fill out the questionnaire and we will report back on our findings, and any changes to publishing procedures, in the next issue. John Vaney Editor |
Progress on Better Management Practices
The previous issue of MAF RM Update discussed the role of voluntary initiatives in progressing sustainable land management practices, and the recognition of the role of voluntary efforts in the Government’s 1996 Sustainable Land Management Strategy (SLMS). David Rhodes elaborates on some of the in which initiatives MAF is involved in.
When the SLMS was introduced, funding was also made available for a programme to provide information and identify practical, "on the ground" techniques to enhance sustainable management. Funding for this programme, now known as "Groundwork", currently runs at around $350,000 per annum. The programme is jointly managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry for the Environment.The two Ministries have been involved in the development of a range of better management practices (BMPs) information and tools to date. Examples of these and related initiatives follow.
1. Development of a nutrient budgeting software program - “Overseer™”
Overseer™ is a stand-alone software program for calculating nutrient budgets. It was developed for pastoral systems and is available for field management support, input to community-based sustainable agriculture projects and as an environmental indicator tool.
The model is used to estimate the balance of nutrients (N, P, K and S) by finding the difference between inputs and outputs. The user simply defines a number of site, soil and production parameters for a paddock or farm situation and includes certain management variables. This tool allows farmers to check the adequacy of nutrient inputs.
As well as being used at the on-farm level, Overseer™ can serve as an environmental indicator for policy agencies to include when measuring sustainability. Given that it permits comparisons between systems and countries there is potential for the model to be used to report on the nutrient status of New Zealand to trading partners and organisations such as the OECD.
Work to expand the application of the model to horticulture and arable land uses has just been completed and its application to forestry is now under investigation.
Overseer™ is available on disk to be run on 486 or Pentium computers and will be available through the MAF Information Bureau in Wellington.
2. Sustainable irrigated agriculture
MAF has been involved in a number of inter-related projects designed to improve irrigation management and efficiency. They include the following:
- A survey of farmers was carried out in mid-1997 to determine their approaches to, and
perceptions about, irrigation management. Some key findings were that farmers were most
concerned about longer-term access to water and the effect of the RMA. Approximately
one-third of irrigators, including around 50 percent of those in large irrigation schemes,
apply a fixed amount of water each irrigation because of the size of the system or the
supply roster. Usually irrigation is applied when it is available. In many cases it is
more cost-effective for a farmer to irrigate when it may not be needed rather than to risk
stressing the crop. Overall it appears the focus of farmers is more on the effectiveness
of the irrigation than on its efficiency.
- A survey of nitrate contamination of New Zealand aquifers was carried out in mid 1998. This involved reviewing existing data to determine the extent and magnitude of nitrate contamination of New Zealand’s groundwater systems. Many of New Zealand’s trading partners have implemented policies designed to reduce nitrate concentrations in aquifers by controlling land use activities, and it is important that New Zealand quantifies its position and response. The information is based on data provided by regional councils which indicate that, although not widespread, there are areas where nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in ground water typically exceed the "maximum allowable value" (MAV) for drinking water. These areas, as expected, are associated with intensive farming. Several other areas are below the MAV but require monitoring. The report concludes that on the basis of current trends the incidence of "nitrate hot spots" will increase in some areas.
3. BMP handbook for sustainable irrigated agriculture
Irrigated agriculture is by far the largest consumptive user of water in New Zealand. Over 400,000 hectares of land are irrigated throughout the country, consuming five times more water than the total domestic requirement for the whole of New Zealand. Peak demands in irrigation consume up to 15 times the domestic demand and usage is increasing rapidly.
The ultimate extension of MAF operational research and BMP-funded irrigation initiatives is the development, and implementation, of irrigation BMP guidelines. The guidelines will provide land managers with practical information to help them reduce the environmental impact of irrigated agriculture and increase their profitability. The guidelines are intended to complement a set of practical indicators of sustainable irrigated agriculture. The intention is to produce the guidelines as a comprehensive handbook for distribution in hard copy, CD-Rom and on the MAF website.
4. Implementation of a forest harvesting environmental management system through workshops run for contractors
The purpose of the workshops was to ensure that the contractors responsible for making decisions, and directing forestry workers on site, are aware of the information needs and requirements of a harvesting operation. The workshop material covers environmental laws and agreements, regional issues and requirements, and key environmental effects and their management. There are also modules addressing pre-harvest environmental planning and monitoring with checklists for both phases of an operation. Finally, the appropriate environmental education training units contained within the National Certificate of Forestry are listed.
The workshop information was designed and used in conjunction with field visits to pre-harvest and harvested sites.
5. Communication of best management practices for eroding hill country
A scoping exercise has been completed to assist in further developing best management practice tools and approaches appropriate to the North Island hill country, and in particular the communication needs for sustainable land management development. The resulting report raised a number of key SLM communication messages:
- Preferred sources of information are delivered by known and credible sources, typically other landowners.
- Information delivery is enhanced by one-on-one contact and discussion groups.
- Information needs to be holistic including incorporation of impacts on production.
- Information needs to be timely, site-specific, easily assimilated, inexpensive and co-ordinated between agencies.
These points and other information will be used in developing activities to address in the hill
6. SLM communication through a Focus Farm/Focus Orchard programme
MAF is involved with 19 Focus Farm/Focus Orchard groups around the country, as outlined in Barrie Wallace’s article later in this issue. The focus of the groups is environmental management; their role is to help make improvements to New Zealand’s environmental sustainability that will have benefits for both the landowner and the whole nation. Accordingly, BMP funding is being used for selected components of some projects to facilitate the development of sustainable land management. New initiatives are planned in the North Island hill country in Gisborne, Wanganui and the King Country.
7. Preparation of guidelines on riparian management
The first draft of a guide for land managers and advisers on better riparian management practices is expected this month. The project has three stages: Stage one scoped the issues and reviewed the information; Stage two (currently) will involve drafting the guidelines and applying them to 16 case studies; Stage three will modify the guidelines following feedback and review.
Further information can be obtained from Kirsty Woods from the Ministry for the Environment in Wellington.
 |
David Rhodes Team Leader, Policy Information Group, Wellington David has worked in the agriculture and forestry sectors on environmental and resource economic issues for the past 10 years. Prior to this he worked for the ecological division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. David is currently the co-ordinator of the MAF Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Programme. |
| In this Issue: |
Contact for Enquiries
Amber Duncalfe
Editor - RM Update
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: +64 4 894 0710
Fax: +64 4 894 0745
Contact this person
