B
Abstract: Goal: To establish beef cattle defecation frequency and distribution on hill country in New Zealand and quantify the effects of a number of environmental factors. This information is likely to be used in a model to predict the effect of factors influencing stream water quality. Context of the project: Livestock farming has been suggested to be one of the major causes of deterioration of riparian areas and water quality. Microbes and nutrients from manure enter streams by several potential pathways. One direct deposition from the animals as they drink, graze, or otherwise spend time in and along the stream. It has been suggested that the impact of defecation on aquatic ecosystems may be resolved by excluding stock from streams by fences. However, fencing would be economically prohibitive in the United States (Platts & Wagstaff, 1984) and in New Zealand (Bettjeman, 1997). There have been few studies on the effect of cattle defecation in streams under New Zealand farming conditions. The aims of this project were to establish beef cattle defecation frequency and distribution on hill country in New Zealand and quantify the effects of season; an alternative water source to the stream; other resources near the stream (shade); size of the field; and pasture availability. Approach: In a study examining factors influencing the use of streams by cattle (Bagshaw, 2001),three experiments were carried out. During the course of these experiments the location and timing of defecation for each animal was recorded. The defecation data from the three experiments were amalgamated. Outcomes: · Beef cattle on hill country in New Zealand defecate in the riparian zone at a rate of 0.2 faeces per cow per day. Half of the faeces were deposited in the water and the other half were deposited within the 2m stream bank (demarcated as the riparian zone in this study). · There was an indication that the number of faeces deposited by a cow in the riparian zone is related to the amount of time the individual spends in that area. · Beef cattle in this study spent on average 4 percent of the day in the riparian zone and cows voided about 4 percent of the expected number of faeces in this time. Despite the relatively low number of faeces deposited in the riparian area, the impact may be high on water quality. · The numbers of defecations in the riparian zone were not affected by season, the presence of a trough, other resources next to the stream, field size, or pasture availability. · If management rather than exclusion techniques are to be used to prevent cattle from defecating in streams then we need to understand how to control animals by manipulating resources in the environment. · Previous study by Bagshaw (2001) investigated the relative importance of resources in the riparian zone. The stream was found to be used daily and all the resources investigated were used (water to drink, water to cool, shade, and forage specific to the riparian area). The relative importance of these resources to cattle is still unclear. · Amelioration methods to reduce the amount of faeces deposited in riparian zones could include: 1) the manipulation of the availability of the factors near the stream (such as water to drink, water for cooling, shade or forage specific to the riparian area); 2) reducing the availability of resting sites; 3) presenting combinations of attractive resources distant from the stream. · Further studies are required to determine behavioural techniques to reduce the amount of faecal material deposited directly in riparian zones.
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Title: |
Assessment of drought impact for dairying in Canterbury |
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Author: |
Ball, K. |
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Publisher: |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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Pub Date: |
1998 |
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Title: |
The Motueka and Riwaka Catchments |
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Author: |
Basher, L. R. |
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Publisher: |
Landcare Research;Tasman District Council;Cawthron |
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Pub Date: |
2003 |
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Available: |
MAF Policy Nelson, 03 543-9182 |
Abstract: A technical report summarising the present state of knowledge of the catchments, management issues and research needs for integrated catchment management.
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Title: |
Irrigation in North Otago |
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Author: |
Bathgate, I. |
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Publisher: |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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Pub Date: |
2000 |
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Title: |
Reform of the Water Industry |
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Author: |
Begg, S. & Wilkinson, B. |
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Publisher: |
New Zealand Business Roundtable |
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Web Link: |
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Pub Date: |
1995 |
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Available: |
New Zealand Business Roundtable |
Abstract: This report examines the potential for reforming the water industry. It focuses on mechanisms for allocating water between different uses as well as the institutional arrangements governing businesses that supply water and wastewater services. It discusses possible problems with the status quo and examines options for reform.
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Title: |
Financial benefits of making improvements to an irrigation system : a case study |
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Author: |
Borrie, N. |
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Publisher: |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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Web Link: |
|
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Pub Date: |
1998 |
Abstract: The primary objective of this project was to demonstrate that improvements to the design of a cropping farm irrigation system were financially beneficial. A 164 ha spray irrigation farm near Darfield on the Canterbury Plains that grows a range of crops was chosen for this study.
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Title: |
Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture Project |
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Author: |
Bright, J. & Robb, C. |
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Publisher: |
Lincoln Environmental |
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Pub Date: |
1996 |
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Available: |
SFF Wellington |
Abstract: The overall aim of the project was to provide clear guidance on the nature and possible magnitude of the impacts of irrigated agriculture on associated water resource systems and on what could be done to minimise them. The project scope was limited to quantifying the exchange of water and nutrients between an irrigated agricultural system and the rest of the ecosystem of which it is part. These aims were met by evaluating the effects on water requirements and drainage and nutrient fluxes of a range of irrigation management strategies.
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Title: |
Feasibility Study - Stage 1 for the Aoraki Water Trust Irrigation Scheme |
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Author: |
Brimelow, A., Agnew, S. & Attewell, D. |
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Publisher: |
Attewell Irrigation Consultants Ltd for Aoraki Water Trust |
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Pub Date: |
2002 |
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Available: |
MAF Wellington |
Abstract: Through surveying and shareholder participation the scheme concept and boundaries have been identified and from this the construction of the main race and individual schemes has been assessed. The surveying as described in the preceding section of the report outlines the areas and the quantity required to estimate construction costs and ability to supply water to the different catchments.
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Title: |
Feasibility Study - Stage 1 - For the Kakahu Irrigation Society |
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Author: |
Brimelow, A., Agnew, S. & Attewell, D. |
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Publisher: |
Attewell Irrigation Consultants Ltd |
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Pub Date: |
2002 |
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Available: |
MAF Wellington |
Abstract: This report is based on a single best option for the transportation of water from the Opuha River through to the Kakahu River. Lake Opuha provides sufficient storage of water for the various schemes and an application rate of 0.41 litres per second per hectare will procide for an efficient irrigation scheme.
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Title: |
Earnscleugh Irrigation Company Pumped Extension to the Triangle - Feasibilty Study |
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Author: |
Brown, G. & Walsh, I. |
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Publisher: |
Opus International Consultants Ltd |
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Pub Date: |
2001 |
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Available: |
MAF Wellington |
Abstract: This study is intended to develop a preliminary design and associated cost estimates for the propsed extension. The study is intended to establish the feasibility of the proposal, and further design work will be required should the development go ahead.
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Title: |
Policy framework for the development of large scale water enhancement projects in NZ : overview and commentary |
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Author: |
Brown, N. |
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Publisher: |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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Pub Date: |
2002 |
Abstract: In 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) undertook preliminary work to respond to the information needs of a number of groups who were investigating and promoting communal irrigation schemes in New Zealand. Since that time, interest has further expanded and with it the demand for more detailed information on a number of key issues surrounding the development of large-scale water enhancement projects
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Title: |
Role of central government in community irrigation projects |
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Author: |
Butcher, G. |
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Publisher: |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
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Pub Date: |
2002 |
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