Tougher rules a possibility: DairyNZ

• Published date: 23 June 2022
• Publication title: Clutha Leader

DairyNZ solutions and development lead adviser Justin Kitto, speaking at an on-farm South Island Dairy Event workshop on dairy farm Windsor Park in Enfield earlier this month, said winter grazing was a high-risk activity

‘‘We do end up with a bare paddock at a time of year when there is more rainfall than normal so a bit of sediment can be lost, which is problematic.’’

Farmers must be compliant with all of the Government’s new Essential Freshwater regulations from November 1 this year, he said.

Permitted activity rules include:

The area used for intensive winter grazing must not exceed 50ha or 10% of the farm, whichever is greater.

Intensive winter grazing on land with a slope of more than 10 degrees will need a resource consent or certified freshwater farm plan.

The total area used for intensive winter grazing must be no greater than the maximum area used for intensive winter grazing in any single season between the start of July 2014 and the end of June 2019.

Livestock must be kept at least 5m from a waterway, regardless of whether there is any water in it at the time.

Anyone undertaking intensive winter grazing activities must protect critical source areas, such as swales and low patches in a paddock.

All critical source areas must be left ungrazed; must have vegetation as ground cover; and must not be used to grow forage crops.

Farmers must comply with the permitted activity rules by next winter or apply for a resource consent to do an activity outside those.

‘‘You’ll have to be able to demonstrate the activity is not going to increase the contaminant load to the local waterway,’’ Mr Kitto said.

The rules in...