The online farm plan module was launched this week by the ministries for Primary Industry (MPI) and Environment (MfE) ahead of a similarly targeted information jointly formulated by Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ), DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and Deer Industry NZ.
B+LNZ environmental policy manager Corina Jordan says having two separate plan templates in circulation creates confusion, sends mixed messages and “adds to the noise” at a time farmers should be focused on developing a winter grazing plan.
“It was unnecessary for MPI and MfE to step into this space because we had a farm plan already developed. We were already doing it.”
Jordan says farmers should be thinking and writing their farm plans rather than deciding which template to use.
In addition to rolling out an industry-initiated farm plan information, the primary sector bodies will hold workshops to help farmers write their plans based on those templates.
The bodies have been in discussion with the Government over their plans, but Jordan was uncertain why the ministries put out their own versions.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor hailed the release of the Government’s Intensive Winter Grazing Module as providing practical solutions farmers can take to mitigate environmental impacts.
The module contains a template so farmers can develop a winter grazing plan, but O’Connor says farmers with existing plans will need to update them to reflect the expectations detailed in this module.
The module will inform farmers of grazing expectations which can be tested and then incorporated into wider certified freshwater farm plans (FEPs) when rolled out from early 2022.
The Government has agreed to delay imposing tough new intensive winter grazing rules by one year, while it assesses if farmers have improved their performance.
A spokesperson for O’Connor disagreed that farmers would be confused from having multiple sources of information, saying the Government has worked with the sector and local government to develop the module.
“The overarching advice to farmers is consistent,” the spokesperson said.
The Government is aware of the “excellent work” being done to improve winter grazing practices.
“The purpose of the module and template is to help inform that work, set consistent expectations and provide a resource (for) farmers, councils and industry bodies looking to plan for the upcoming season,” they said.
Fears aired recently by Southland Federated Farmers vice president Bernadette Hunt that the delay and government ultimatum will open the door for critics looking for poor practice, has already been realised.
Hunt says a Greenpeace activist is already posting on social media images of cattle on crops, although there was nothing questionable with what practice the image portrayed.
Hunt says this is a taste of what to expect this winter.
“They are unhappy the Government has delayed winter grazing rules and they will no doubt try and prove it was the wrong call,” Hunt said.
Given the inquisitive nature of cattle and the reality there will be wet and muddy areas in a paddock, Hunt expects them to succeed and get incriminating photographs without providing any context of actual conditions.
Southland farmers, however, appear to have been listening to concerns as they plan their crops.
An aerial inspection by regional council and farming groups this month identified just six cropping paddocks that council officials will follow up for fear they could pose problems when fed to stock this winter.
Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips says overall farmers have made correct management decisions with their forage crops, providing good buffering and management of critical source areas.
