On-Stream
For the last three years we've surveyed Otago farmers in relation to the Water Plan rules for water quality. We recently got the results back from our latest annual survey of 300 sheep, beef and dairy farmers.
A stand-out result was the increase in the number of farmers looking for more information about what they need to do to comply with the Water Plan rules.
Here's a summary of the survey results:
- 52% of farmers have a good or excellent understanding of what they need to do to ensure their property complies with the rules. This is on par with previous years.
- 14% of farmers want more information to better understand their responsibilities. This has doubled from last year.
- 9% of farmers indicate they know exactly what they need to do to ensure their property is compliant. A further 60% mention they have a good idea of what they need to do (up from 49% last year).
- Only 11% of farmers say they have made all the changes they need to their property. 38% have made most of the changes (up from 28% last year) and 35% have made some of the changes.
- 14% indicate they have not yet made any changes to their property (a 15% decrease from last year)
- 44% have been collecting information needed to run OVERSEER
- 39% are part of a water catchment group
Farmers were asked what actions they have taken to comply with the rules:
- 58% have undertaken fencing
- 14% changed fertiliser use
- 13% altered effluent systems
You can find the full survey results here: http://bit.ly/2r91SZC
So, what next?
- We are writing a new, user-friendly guidebook to replace the fact pack that's given to farmers at the moment. This will also be used to revamp the website.
- We'll be at more industry events, meetings and field days so you can chat with us to ask questions specific to your farm. You can also call our liaison specialists at any time on 0800 474 082.
- We're hitting the road early next year with road shows around Otago.
Surveys are only a snap-shot of a situation, but we're continuing to work hard to help you understand Otago's Water Plan rules so we can all enjoy Good Water in Otago.
We hope you enjoy this issue of On-Stream,
The ORC team
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You've probably started grazing your winter crops by now, but it's not too late to stop and check that you're doing this in the best way to make sure there's no sediment or runoff into waterways. There are a number of steps you can take to lessen the likelihood of your soil being washed into a waterway during rain events:
- Create a buffer strip of long grass or low vegetation (i.e. riparian planting) between grazing paddocks and waterways, and also in gullies/swales where water might naturally collect to flow into a waterway.
- Create a sediment trap, such as a pit or perpendicular channel at the bottom of the paddock, to slow water movement.
- Graze stock in the lower, damper areas of paddocks last, to reduce sediment runoff from these areas.
- Strip-graze from top to bottom to allow sediment to get trapped by lower-lying crops and prevent it entering waterways.
- Think about access (gateways, lanes, culverts and crossings). These often get more traffic than usual and it’s important that there are adequate measures in place to prevent any runoff to water.
ORC did an aerial survey of South Otago late last year and we were pleased to see the high number of farms using the winter feeding good practices listed above, and the number that had improved their sediment management practices compared with previous years. There will always be room for improvement, so spread the word and tap your neighbour on the shoulder to share your good practice tips.  Have you seen the DairyNZ template for wintering on crops? See 'In Brief' below. |
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| Updates from your liaison specialists |
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Bruce Monaghan - Central Otago
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Last month I discussed how you need to get information about fish and water flows before talking with affected parties (iwi, DoC, and Fish and Game) for your water permit applications.
We're still finalising the protocols around this information and are talking with the affected parties and also Federated Farmers to make sure we have a consistent approach.
We're also discussing how we use the various flow data options, because they can be either actual measurements or synthetic (calculated from nearby actual flows). Terrain-based models are also an option where there is no information available from either actual or synthetic data. You will need to check with the affected parties first that they're happy for the terrain-based model to be used.
Depending on the values associated with the fish data (such as the presence of native galaxiids and/or sport fishing), this will determine the suitability of which flow data option may be used. As for fish data itself, the onus is on the applicant to make arrangements to provide this information.
We're getting positive feedback about the Fish and Flow portal and it will get even better as we receive new information and continue to update it. The portal is a valuable tool to help you to find out the information you need for your applications to replace deemed permits with water permits.
Go to orc.govt.nz/fishandflowportal to find out more.
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As we head into winter and there are less events to attend, I've been able to get stuck into projects that have been gathering dust.
One of these is our role in providing schools and communities with educational programmes and materials about water quality. It's no secret that children are great problem solvers, and I find visiting schools and speaking with children inspiring, and a lot of fun.
It’s exciting to think where this project could go and we will keep you in the loop as things progress. We have plenty of schools chasing us for presentations and resources at the moment and can't wait to have a great toolkit.
In the meantime, here a few blogs posted by children from Lawrence Area School, who helped with some riparian planting recently:
http://nicmurlas.blogspot.co.nz/
http://olilitlas.blogspot.co.nz/
http://addmaclas.blogspot.co.nz/
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I spent the afternoon at the Mid Otago Farm Forestry Harvesting Field Day just over a week ago. It was held at Fulton Hogan's site on Mclaren Gully Road, East Taieri.
Forestry can have a big impact on water quality during harvesting and replanting if it's not managed well, and the field day was a great opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces.
It was a beautiful sunny day with a good group of people, and I loved visiting an operational forest harvesting site.
There was a lot of discussion around the new machinery and technology that is being used on the skid site and how it is changing the way the crews work. Thanks to Grant Sime from Fulton Hogan and Mort Shepherd from Venture Forestry for hosting us.
Coming up on 28 June, Beef + Lamb are hosting a wintering event at the Heriot Community Centre from 1-5pm. I'll see you there.
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Winter has arrived, and with it comes the additional challenge of keeping mud and muck out of waterways! Please take special care with your winter grazing over the next few months. Leave a large buffer around waterways and critical source areas, and graze from the top down if possible (ask if you need advice). It isn’t rocket science! Don’t be one of the few that ORC catches every winter…
North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group (NOSLaM)’s new North Otago farmer-focused project is now up and running. Over the next year, ORC and North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) will be monitoring the quality of small tributary creeks off the Kakanui River, and Waiareka and Awamoko Creeks. NOSLaM will use the results to inform and engage the landowners within each small tributary catchment.
This initiative offers a great chance for locals (that’s you!) to find local solutions and show what can happen when farmers roll their sleeves up. So far two meetings have been held in the Awamoko and Waiareka catchments. The next round of meetings will be in the Kakanui catchment in July. If you’d like to know more about this and get stuck in, please contact me.
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| The deadline for replacing old mining permits (deemed permits) with water permits is getting closer, so if you haven't started the process yet make sure you read this handbook, which will help get you started. You'll find plenty of information (including the handbook) on our website: http://bit.ly/2qZUUcC |
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What happens when things go wrong?
Have you ever wondered what process ORC follows if enforcement action is needed? Have a look at the flowchart on our website that outlines how we decide on action, and what our eight enforcement tools are: http://bit.ly/2siOjLk |
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| Help us keep an eye out for Myrtle rust, which was found in NZ last month. It's a fungal disease that attacks plants in the myrtle family, such as manuka and feijoa. Ministry for Primary Industries is working hard to contain it and protect NZ's native species. If you think you've spotted myrtle rust call the MPI hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/2rtZqfE |
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What's coming up?
- Arrow River and Wakatipu Basin aquifer community consultation
- 26 June - 1 - 3 p.m. & 6 - 8 p.m., Arrowtown Bowling Club
- 27 June - 12.30 - 2.30 p.m., Queenstown Events Centre
We're holding public drop-in sessions to find out what's important to you about this catchment. This is the first step in a three-step process before we set minimum flows and water allocation limits for the Arrow catchment and to manage the amount of water in the nine Wakatipu Basin aquifers. The Arrow River and nine aquifers in the Wakatipu Basin are linked, which is why we're consulting on them at the same time. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/2sbYfWb |
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| If you missed the last issue of ORC's newsletter 'Waterlines' you can check it out here: http://bit.ly/2mtj4XR. The winter issue is due out soon so keep an eye on your letterbox. |
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| If you know someone who should subscribe to On-Stream, forward this email to them and suggest they email us at water@orc.govt.nz to subscribe. |
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| Make sure you like the 'Good Water in Otago - ORC' Facebook page - click the Facebook link below. |
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