While opponents have criticised it as a blunt instrument Greenpeace has countered that applying too much nitrogen helps underpin increased dairy intensification.
The cap will mostly impact on the heavy dairy areas of Taranaki, Canterbury and Southland. DairyNZ has pointed out that in Canterbury’s Selwyn and Hinds zones farmers are already working towards a 30% reduction in nitrogen that might have to increase to 70% to meet the standards being proposed.
The tussle will continue before and after the standards are imposed, with the fertiliser companies hoping to head them off before legislation is introduced next year and Greenpeace vowing to seek review of the cap in 2023, down to 60kg.
Gerard Hutching
Keeping ahead of the game
Catchment groups have proved to be invaluable to farmers in getting to grips with the requirements of environmental regulations while maintaining profits.
Creative types wanted
Agricultural innovators are being given the chance to win a new award launched by Lincoln University’s creative centre B.linc and sponsored by GlobalHQ. Entries for the Celebrating Success awards close on August 1.
Scales sales carry weight
Apple company Scales Corp is on track to sell the same volume of apples this season as it did in 2018 when it set a new record. The company is seeking expansion and investment opportunities but no details were given to the annual meeting.
Tourism staff switch careers
Employment seminars in Queenstown and Te Anau have attracted a divergence of participants, with the Queenstown group mainly tourists and the Te Anau attendees mostly Kiwis. About 40 people will start retraining as agricultural contractors.
Nitrogen cap under fire
Fertiliser companies are crying foul over the 190kg/ha/year nitrogen cap announced as part of the Action for Freshwater package, describing the process as a sham hijacked by Greenpeace.
Dollar bounces back
While producers and exporters would welcome a lower value dollar, its 15% appreciation against the United States dollar reflects the strength of the Kiwi economy and optimism that economic data hasn’t been as dire as first feared.
