SFF Project Summary
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Updated: 06 November 2008
Project description
Farmers in the Lake Taupo catchment are faced with severe limitations on their future farming activities due to the Regional Plan Variation proposed by Environment Waikato to reduce nitrate leaching into Lake Taupo. Environment Waikato will require a reduction of 20% in nitrate output from farms in the catchment, with individual farms capped at their current N output unless they can purchase N credits from another farm within the catchment.
The loss of future potential for pastoral farmers has been estimated as approximately $9 million dollars per year in lost income, with flow-on effects on farm values.
The issue/opportunity
The opportunity is to develop new farm systems that capture the potential productivity gains available, while meeting the nitrate leaching targets for Lake protection.
Research has shown several management options for farmers to manipulate N cycling and reduce N leaching. The challenge now is to develop profitable ways to exploit our ability to reduce N leaching.
It is clear from the farm systems studies and farmer discussion to date in our Phase 1 project that no one solution will suit all landowners. By working with landowners we will assist them to develop farm plans that will achieve both economic and N management goals.
Methods
The project will work in three areas
- Working with farmers and rural professionals to increase their knowledge and skills in farm planning related to N management.
- Working with government agencies. This component will contribute to agency policy that enable efficient use of government money to assist land use change and retention of viable farm businesses.
- Improving the scientific base. This component will complete the existing field trials.
Latest update
A workshop for rural professionals was held in September in Taupo. This was attended by 22 local rural professionals including consultants (10), fertilizer reps (4), accountants (1), EW staff (4) and Lake Taupo Trustees (3). Presentations from Jan Hania (EW), Bruce Thorrold (Dexcel) and Duncan Smeaton (AgResearch) covered the policy background, the results of the trials and modeling studies and the implications for farmers.
Presentation to NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (Taupo, October 2007) on N discharge allowances included lessons from this study.
Update
Results from the trial work were presented to a farmer field-day at Mike Barton’s property (Hingarae Rd) on 6th June 2007. This was held in conjunction with a field visit to the new AgReserach FRST-funded experimental site. Approximately 50 farmers attended, along with members of the Lake Taupo Trust and EW Taupo field staff.
A series of workshops will be held August-September for rural professionals, individual farmers, and Incorporations, focusing on application of the results from the project to their businesses.
