Of 151 farmers in the Aparima Community Environment Project who responded to the survey, 80% have farmer environment plans, a jump of 23% in the past year.
“These survey results show how serious farmers are about taking care of the environment,” Otautau dairy farmer Edwin Mabonga said.
Of those surveyed, 95% have excluded stock from waterways, up 4% on last year and 87% use nitrogen fertiliser as needed to maximise pasture and only on certain parts of the farm, also an increase of 4% on a year ago.
Other highlights of the survey were a 6% increase in those recycling chemical containers (80% of respondents), a 7% lift in those leaving ungrazed buffers (78%), 3% more farmers using Spreadmark accredited equipment and contractors (77%), and a 6% lift in those doing paddock scale soil testing (74%).
Mabonga says farm environment plans must include actions to reduce farm sediment and nutrient loss, outline how wintering rules will be implemented and where to riparian plant and fence.
They are reviewed annually.
“Farm Environment Plans identify environmental risks and management options on the farm and contribute to improving water quality and other environmental benefits,” he said.
Mabonga and his wife Fungai are equity partners in a Western Southland dairy farm and have been riparian planting for 10 years, a task that involves all staff and which he says gives everyone a sense of ownership.
Together with Farm Environment Plans, Mabonga says all his staff know and understand the way the environment is looked after on the farm.
“For us, a big benefit is to have everyone on the farm thinking environmentally,” he said.
Aparima sheep farmers Leon and Wendy Black plant about 300 trees a year on their 370ha farm to provide shelter and shade for stock.
The farm has been in the family for almost 100 years.
Black says environmental practices are continually improving as a result of targeted farm plans.
“Caring for the environment is a core plank of a farming business,” Black said.
“A Farm Environment Plan helps ensure good farm management practices, and to identify and manage any potential issues.”
The Aparima Community Environment Project began in 2018 and involves 600 farmers in the Aparima, Pourakino, Waimatuku and coastal Longwood catchments who are addressing water quality issues and reducing their environmental footprint.
Of the 600 farmers involved, 384 are sheep and beef farmers and 216 are dairy.
The project is led by farmers and supported by DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Environment Southland and Fonterra.
