Environmental Considerations for Dairy Farming in Otago
This booklet (published May 2001, revised March 2003) aims to provide a convenient summary of environmental issues and best management practices that may affect dairy farms. On this page
About the booklet
Dairying is a significant land use in Otago, and as with any type of agriculture there are environmental impacts that are important to consider when managing your dairy farm.
This booklet aims to provide a convenient summary of environmental issues and best management practices that may affect dairy farms. It can be part of a systematic approach for addressing environmental issues on your property. The booklet also provides a summary of rules that may apply to your farming situation, this is intended as a guideline only.
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Please note the following addendum before downloading:
Rules affecting effluent management (page 6) - Add the following points:
- outdoor stockpiles of material like waste animal bedding and manure must be more than 150 metres from your boundary
- Land application of effluent must not occur within 150m of dwelling on neighbouring property or place of public amenity
Rules for storage ponds (page 7) - Add the following point:
- effluent storage or treatment ponds, unless constructed before 30 June 2001, must be more than 150 metres from your boundary
>> Download Environmental Considerations for Dairy Farming (PDF - 340KB)
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Overview of booklet contents
Managing Environmental Risks
Planning is the key to managing environmental risks on the farm. Minimising environmental risks should be done in conjunction with other aspects of your farm management.
Biodiversity
Protecting New Zealand's biodiversity is about making sure that the range of native plants and animals continue to survive. Maintaining and enhancing biodiversity is a national issue, however small steps by many landowners will go a long way in assisting the national objective.
Effluent Management
Effluent management is a high priority on a dairy farm. There are a number of options to consider. Advice from a suitably qualified consultant will assist your planning and choice of system, and make sure that your system can handle any increased load if you have increased your herd size.
Feed Pads and Stand-Off Pads
Feed pads and stand-off pads are options for protecting soil physical structure over wet periods.
Silage
The big environmental issues with silage are what happens with the silage leachate and silage wrap.
Stock Access to Waterways
Cattle like to spend time in creeks and rivers. They can cause major impacts on water quality through faecal materials, nutrients and sediment entering water. Streambed and bank damage also impact on creeks, rivers and wetlands.
Soil Management
Protecting the soils on your property is vital to maintain productivity. Physical condition and structure of soils is as important as soil fertility.
Tracks and Stream Crossings
Correct design and construction of tracks is important for good cow flow and minimising lameness problems. There are also environmental considerations to take into account. Runoff from tracks can contribute significant amounts of sediment, nutrients and faecal material to water. Crossings need to be carefully planned.
Waste Management
Waste management is more than thinking "how do I get rid of my rubbish?" A total waste management policy for your farm should be based around the five Rs of waste management: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, residual management.
Water Use
Water availability is vital for your dairy operation. It is important to think about efficient water use in and around the farm dairy and during irrigation.
Weeds and Pests
Weeds can become a major problem if not controlled. Some weeds are already well established in Otago. Control is easiest when the weed population is small. Animal pests also need to be controlled.
Wintering Of Dairy Stock
With the expansion of dairying in Otago there is now an option for wintering dairy cattle on many sheep and beef farms. This can provide an excellent source of income but it pays to be aware of potential environmental impacts that many heavy cattle can have on soils and waterways.
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