Managing waterways on farms

A nation-wide series of one-day practical workshops on planting by waterways for people who work with farmers

The Ministry for the Environment is this year running a series of riparian training workshops. These are an integral part of the Ministry's overall "Reducing Agricultural Impacts on Water" programme, which consists of a number of projects dedicated to reducing the impacts of agriculture on surface and groundwater. 

Intensive agriculture is regarded as having the greatest impact on water quality of any activity in New Zealand, as well as degrading steam banks and channels in many areas. The Ministry for the Environment resource "Managing Waterways on Farms" was published in May 2001. It was developed to encourage and assist community groups and farmers in carrying out sustainable water and riparian management in rural areas. Since its publication, requests have come from a number of quarters for training workshops be held to cover the material in the document with a strong preference for a 1 day 'train the trainers' workshop. The Ministry is happy to now provide this in conjunction with host councils around the country. 

These practical workshops will bring you up to speed with local issues and opportunities in your region.

What's in the workshop?  

• what is a riparian zone?
• why are riparian zones so valuable?
• how does farming affect streams? 
• what are the issues in this region?
• what should my objectives be? 
• how do I prepare my own riparian planting plan? 
• what do I need to know about site preparation and management?

What will you get from this workshop?

• an in-depth understanding of the benefits of riparian zones for trees, birds, fish and farms
  an overview of local issues and some of the different objectives that riparian zones can meet
• practical tips for planning and planting to meet your own riparian management objectives
• opportunities to learn from others attending as well as from Council and other local experts
• practical and training expertise from Ministry-selected trainers Norm Ngapo and Clare Feeney
• expert input from John Quinn of NIWA's Hamilton office
• skills and knowledge to pass on to others

What other participants have said about Norm and Clare's workshops

'Excellent well run course in an informal manner with good interaction and discussion time. Very practical.'

'Learnt a lot - very valuable. Good presenters experienced in the topics.'

'The options identified by others present were useful in identifying practical and cost-effective solutions.'

workshop details

The workshop will include morning and afternoon tea, lunch, transport for a field trip and all workshop materials.  Fees may be charged in some cases.

To find out more …. 

Contact your nearest host council, or 

Clare Feeney of Environment and Business Group Ltd on 09 360 9566 or clare@ebg.pl.net,  or 

Norm Ngapo of Waiora Soil Conservation Ltd on 07 308 7710 or normn@wave.co.nz 

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NZARM REGIONAL WORKSHOP – BAY OF PLENTY

RIPARIAN PROTECTION AT LAKE ROTOEHU & WETLAND MANAGEMENT

Friday and Saturday 19-20 April 2002

NOW POSTPONED

Date to be advised

The Bay of Plenty Branch of NZARM is holding a regional workshop on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April over one and a half days. The regional workshop would focus on the riparian protection work undertaken at Lake Rotoehu, and also on wetland management work undertaken by Willy Shaw of Wildland Consultants.

Tentative Agenda:

Friday 19 April 2002:

Venue: At Environment B·O·P Offices in Whakatane

9.30am Morning Tea

10.00am Start Regional Workshop

Presentations given by a range of fascinating speakers for 2 hours.

12.30 Lunch

1.15pm Leave for field trip to Lake Rotoehu

Inspect riparian retirement work at Matawhaura Maori Lands Trust

Various speakers on site:

- Range of topics covering planting regimes, fence lines, archaeological/historic sites

- Involvement of various parties; three local schools, Nga Whenua Rahui, FRI, DOC, TFI, Rotorua District Council etc.

- Overview of Environmental Plan approach

5.30pm Arrive back in Whakatane

6.30pm Dinner at Whakatane Sports Fishing Club

8.30am Field trip to view wetland management, Willy Shaw (Wildland Consultants)

12.30pm Lunch and finish

Numbers are limited to 50 and preference will be given to financial NZARM members. First in, first served. Costs are still being worked out.

Interested? 

Contact Pam Crabbe for registration details and accommodation and travel options. 0800 368 267 or email Pam at pam@envbop.govt.nz 

OTAGO-SOUTHLAND NZ ASSOCIATION OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL DAIRY FORUM

Friday 7th December Start 9-30am

Objective 

To promote sustainable dairy farming by holding a one day forum where the latest research findings and farm management expertise is disseminated to people involved in the industry. Emphasis is on current and future environmental issues and how these can be minimised or managed by sound practical systems.

Location 

To be held in at the Invermay Conference Centre (part of the AgResearch complex on the Taieri ).

Proposed Audience 

The aim is to firstly encourage NZARM members to attend but also technical and scientific persons involved in the industry (including Regional Council staff) and lastly dairy farmers. It is not a political forum but a technical approach to solving some of the issues of the current industry in the south. We would like to encourage people to come to the workshop from other regions.

Date and programme 

To be held on Friday 7th December Start 9-30am for a cup of tea, getting underway at 10-00am sharp. Finish 4.30pm.

Provisional Programme

Overview of Dairying issues in the south

Overview of current and future dairying issues in Otago Selva Selvarajah ORC Overview of current and future dairying issues in Southland Scott Crawford SRC

Technical papers and Best Management Practices

Groundwater supply and water Quality in Otago Tom Heller ORC 

Responsible Nitrogen use Ross Monaghan AgResearch 

Managing Soil Fertility Jeff Morton AgResearch 

Diagnosing and Managing Soil Compaction John Drewry AgResearch 

BMP for Irrigating Effluent over Tile and Mole Drains Bruce Monaghan ORC 

Wintering management systems Riparian Management BMP Richard Fitzpatrick F & G Irrigation 

Efficient Water use in drier areas Ian McIndoe Lincoln Ventures

Extension work and Catchment Management

Lower Taieri Catchment Programme Nicola McGrouther ORC 

Dairy Market Focused-an Environmental Management System for Dairy Farmers in NZ Jim Barnett Dairy Res Institute 

Achieving Production and Environmental Objectives on New Zealand Dairy Farms Bruce Thorrold Dexcel

Panel Discussion Dairy farm conversions & dairy farm expansion: have we got it right?

Are dairy conversions and existing dairy farms that are expanding environmentally sustainable?

A panel of people will answer questions and discuss with the audience what the problems of expansion might be, and what needs to be done to ensure that the expansion in dairy farming is environmentally sustainable.

Forum costs

At this stage there maybe a small cost (in the order of $15 /hd inc gst) depending on sponsorship .

Registration and Information Room will be limited so please register early with either:

Tom Heller Otago Regional Council , Private Bag 1954 , Dunedin Phone 03-474 0827 or e mail tom.heller@orc.govt.nz

Murray Harris Land and Forest Consultancy, 7 Harden St, Glenleith , Dunedin Phone 03-467 9257 or Mob 021 616 605 e mail landfors@es.co.nz

Accomodation and Travel Please note it is your responsibility to make your own bookings and arrangements with regard to overnight accomodation and travel.

Organising committee

Murray Harris, Tom Heller, Nicola McGrouther, Bruce Monaghan and Ian Brown ORC

15th October 2001.

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