Non-farmers need to read about the level of passion and enthusiasm and of investment that leading farmers are ploughing into improving their farm environments, paying off through improvements in water quality, reduced nitrate and silt levels and improving water and nutrient efficiency.
It would do wonders for our circulation figures too. With World Wetlands Day this month, and the squeeze coming on from the tourism industry, it’s really heartening to read about the dedicated farmers in our special report who are not letting the dire news of a dropping payout dampen their enthusiasm for their environmental endeavours.
From page 51, we follow the journey of riparian fencers, tree planters, wetland developers, green-washers and nutrient strippers and while it’s not financially viable for many farmers this season, others are making it a priority in their capital expense wishlist to ensure they protect their environment. Some are even finding wins that are good for their environment and good for their bottom line.
The Farmers Weekly cartoonist put it brilliantly – farmers are being asked to pole-vault over the bar of doubling exports at the same time as wriggling under the limbo pole of reducing nitrate run-off. At last it seems the government are getting the message and have launched a new research funding pool, called Our Land and Water Challenge. $100 million over 10 years, the research will support projects investigating how to boost agricultural production while improving land and water quality.
It’s a good news stories we aim to get out to the masses, the stories of the leaders and innovators – because we know where they go, everyone else will eventually follow, as their income allows and their passion grows and their conscience dictates. Then the regulators will come in and clean up the tail end and it’ll be better for the environment and better for the industry.
Jackie
