Click on the arrows on the variables in the header row to reorder the farm practices based on that variable. Use this menu in conjunction with your consultant or your Land Environment Plan.
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Management area | On farm practice |
N | P | Sed | Pa | Cost | Benefit | Factors to consider |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whole farm planning | Undertake a Land and Environment Plan (LEP) to understand farm resources and risks | - | - | - | - | $ - $$ | $$$ | Involves assessment of farm resources, stocking policies and farm business risks – see www.beeflambnz.com/farm/tools-resources/land-and-environment-planning-toolkit/ for more information. A good starting point that will help clarify the most useful practices to consider. Should include industry good practices and a risk assessment of current practices. Preparation of the farm plan will identify water quality risks. Likely water quality benefits of different practices depend on land classes, management challenges and practices used to manage risks on farm. |
Whole farm planning | Match land use to land capability | $$ | $$ | Graze sheep on steeper paddocks and restrict cows to easier slopes if possible. Consider afforestation (native, plantation or pole planting) as an alternative, especially where there is a high risk of erosion. | ||||
Nutrient management | Do a whole farm nutrient budget. | - | - | - | - | $ | $$ | Farm consultant/advisor should use OVERSEER® (use most recent version) to create a nutrient budget for the whole farm.1 Likely water quality benefits will depend on the range of practices used to manage nutrients as a result of nutrient budget recommendations. |
Nutrient management | Apply N fertiliser in accordance with feed budget, climatic conditions and soil temperatures greater than 7°C | - | - | - | - | - | - | Refer to the Fertiliser Association’s Code of Practice for Nutrient Management www.fertiliser.org.nz |
Nutrient management | Keep Olsen P at agronomic optimum (using soil testing) | - | - | - | $ | $$$ | Avoiding unnecessary application of P will reduce costs. Optimum level will depend on soil type. To minimise run off, apply P fertiliser when good soil moisture and no large rainfall events forecast. Consider use of lower solubility P fertiliser if soil conditions allow. | |
Managing nitrogen losses | Reduce number of old cattle (R3s) to reduce large urine spots | - | $ | $$ | Male stock also distribute urine more widely, so urine patches are less concentrated. Would also lower live weight on farm for winter wet periods with benefits for soil health and water quality. | |||
Managing nitrogen losses | Increase sheep to cattle ratios to reduce large urine spots (and soil damage) | - | $$ | $ | Effectiveness depends on farm contour. Profitability of change depends on sheep vs beef schedules and capital stock sales required. Altering ratios may increase management challenge for pasture quality, with fewer cattle to manage long rank pasture. | |||
Stock management | Increase lambing percentage | - | - | $$ | $$$ | May involve higher ewe live weights at mating and improved feeding at lambing. Lambing percentage can be increased by improved genetics and maintaining ewe condition through pregnancy and lactation. | ||
Stock management | Increase rate of cattle finishing | - | - | $$ | $$$ | Minimises numbers of older cattle wintered on farm and reduces period of time on maintenance feed. | ||
Stock management to reduce erosion and soil damage | Rotational grazing | $ | $$ | Keeping animals moving onto fresh pasture reduces stress and pacing when wet weather hits. Could also use break fencing to reduce soil damage during wet periods. | ||||
Stock management to reduce erosion and soil damage | Match stock management to land use capability | $$ | $$ | Preventative approach where heavy animal classes are run on flatter contour off the hills where possible. Requires information on land use capability (may be a cost). Requires contour fencing for greatest benefit. | ||||
Stock management to reduce erosion and soil damage | Graze wetter paddocks earlier in the winter rotation | - | $ | $$ | Requires forward planning. May not be possible if targeted paddocks are across the whole farm. Benefits will depend on soil type. | |||
Stock management to reduce erosion and soil damage | Strip graze towards waterway, rather than away from them | $ | $ | Applies to grazed paddocks in wet weather with overland flow that converges to form small channels of running water. Have as large a grass strip as possible between the winter grazed strip and the waterway, for as long as possible. Benefits will depend on fertility, slope and feed type. There may be local rules that set the minimum width. | ||||
Stock management to reduce erosion and soil damage | Separate deer mobs to reduce pacing on fencelines | $$ - $$$ | $$ | Can lower impacts but will not fully prevent damage. Refer to the NZ Deer Farmers’ Landcare Manual for more information, available in hard copy from Deer Industry New Zealand. | ||||
Planting to reduce erosion | Plant spaced poplars or other poles on steep country | - | - | $$ | $$ | Fast growing poplar or willow poles effective on southern faces or erodible/wet slopes while still allowing grazing. Mixed agroforestry is drought tolerant and provides an alternate feed source. | ||
Planting to reduce erosion | Plant deer fencelines to reduce pacing behaviour | $$ - $$$ | $$ | Can lower impacts but will not fully prevent damage. Refer to the NZ Deer Farmers’ Landcare Manual for more information, available in hard copy from Deer Industry New Zealand. | ||||
Planting to reduce erosion | Afforestation of steep southern faces (above Land Use Capability 6e) | - | $$ - $$$ | $ - $$ | Protects areas of greatest erosion risk and replaces low growing slopes with long term productive investment. Best suited to areas with large weed burdens and minimal profitability. Profitability depends on forestry regime and market. Any afforestation plan should include a harvest plan to ensure all land is harvestable. | |||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Reduce run off from tracks, races and yards (using cut-offs and shaping) | $ | $$ | Cost and effectiveness depends on contour of farm (higher risk of soil loss on steeper land but will also require more work). Requires regular maintenance but can reduce water damage and long term track maintenance costs. | ||||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Fence out dams, plant around margins and pipe water to troughs | $$ | $$ | Extends the life of the dam. Watch for faulty ballcocks and overflowing water. Planting around the dam will keep water cooler in summer, but do not plant on dam wall. Benefits will depend on water quality of dams, but can provide significant production gains. | ||||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Fence and plant permanent wet and boggy areas and springs | $$ | $$ | Benefits will be proportional to the number and use made of springs. Co-benefits could include reduced stock losses and ease of mustering. | ||||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Space planting of trees | $$ | $$ | Stabilises hill slopes and reduces erosion risk. Potential for drought fodder, depending on species planted. Co-benefits include shade and shelter. | ||||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Fence and plant out unproductive steeper slopes | - | $$$ | $$ | Planted steeper slopes will slow water movement and reduce potential for erosion. Will reduce weed control and lower fertiliser expenditure. | |||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Direct stockyard run off to paddock | $ | $$ | To stop direct run off into streams and drains. | ||||
Managing critical source areas - hotspots (high sediment, phosphorus or faecal loads coming from small areas of high run off) |
Move water troughs and gateways away from areas of high water flow | $ | $ | These areas of concentrated stock use have high nutrient loads and reduced vegetative cover, so are higher risk for run off. Cost and effectiveness depends on contour of farm (higher risk of soil loss on steeper land but greater benefit). | ||||
Riparian management | Fence stock out of waterways | $ - $$ | $$ | Fencing could range from permanent 8 wire to temporary electric during grazing periods, depending on individual farm needs and preference. Two wire electric with sheep under grazing may be appropriate where exclusion of large stock is the priority. Provide a minimum setback of at least 3m. Fencing adds capital value, reduces stock losses and benefits animal health. Can also be used to improve subdivision and pasture utilisation. Costs include reticulated water. | ||||
Riparian management | Put in culverts or bridges at regular stock crossings | $ - $$$ | $$$ | Cost will depend on whether culvert or bridge is required. Bridges also require resource consent. Improved crossings reduce stock and vehicle travel time. | ||||
Riparian management | Improve on farm infrastructure to keep stock out of waterways (reticulate stock water, improve stock crossings, plant shade trees away from water) | $$ - $$$ | $$ | These improvements all add capital value to the farm and provide animal health and welfare benefits alongside water quality benefits. Important to locate new troughs away from areas of high water flow and high stock traffic e.g. gateways. | ||||
Riparian management | Manage or retire bogs and swampy areas | $$ | $$ | Controlled summer grazing of swampy areas can be useful for keeping weeds down. Keeping stock out of swampy areas and wetlands will reduce stock losses and mustering time. If they are areas with high stock traffic and high water flows, excluding stock will be highly effective in reducing P losses to waterways. | ||||
Riparian management | Provide deer wallows away from waterways | $$ | $ | May involve use of sediment traps or buffers to filter run off from wallows before it reaches waterways. | ||||
Riparian management | Riparian planting | if swampy |
$$$ | $ | Effectiveness improves with a grass margin to help filter run off, especially on steeper slopes. Effectiveness of planting depends on species. Ongoing weed and pest management is an added cost but reduces with time. Can improve bank stability, provide habitat for wildlife and instream shade for fish and insects. | |||
Riparian management | Sediment trap (an engineered structure to slow water flows, reduce energy, filter sediment and allow grass growth e.g. decanting dam, detainment bunds) | $$$ | $ - $$$ | Most useful where steady flow of run off to waterways during wet periods and sediment/P is an issue. Detainment bunds designed to allow ponding for no more than three days to maintain pasture. Require water storage of around 120m3/ha of draining catchment. Can be costly where not using existing structures. Requires sound engineering design and ongoing maintenance. | ||||
Cropping management | Reduce soil cultivation by adopting strip tillage or direct drilling | - | $ | $$ | Effective for reducing run off and soil loss, and improving soil quality and infiltration. Soils grazed over the winter may be compacted or pugged, requiring more cultivation or resulting in rough paddocks. Requires modified planter machinery to deliver good seed placement for even plant establishment. Additional expenditure might be required for insect pest control. FAR trials show a benefit of $200/ha to direct drilling if crop establishment costs and yields are similar. | |||
Cropping management | Cultivate along contours (rather than up and down the slope) where slopes greater than 3° | - | $ | $$ | Slows down run off and reduces erosion. Row orientation should follow contour. Avoid cropping on steep land. | |||
Cropping management | Establish autumn pastures early | - | $ | $ | May not be feasible if pasture establishment is limited by a lack of soil moisture. N benefit will be proportional to the area cultivated. | |||
Cropping management | Use low N crops | - | - | - | $ | $ | Fodder beet and radish have a low N content and will lower urinary N deposition. Benefit may not apply if stocking rate is increased. | |
Cropping management | Use winter active crops | - | - | - | $ | $ | Winter active crops (oats, rape, Italian rye) may reduce N leached over winter. | |
Cropping management | Actively manage grazing of winter crop areas to reduce risk of N leaching, run off, soil loss and compaction | $$ | $$$ | Graze from top to bottom of paddock contour. Avoid leaving stock on during wet periods, for long periods, or concentrated on small sections of the crop. | ||||
Cropping management | Maintain buffer strips on sloping cropping paddocks | - | $$ | $ | Reduces risk of soil loss from unexpected rain events on cultivated paddocks where there is a risk of erosion. Benefit will be proportional to area cultivated. | |||
Cropping management | Use placement tools e.g. GPS guidance, crop sensing, where possible | - | - | $$$ | $$$ | Delivers more precise nutrient inputs for expected crop yield. Likely to become more widely used as tractors are upgraded over time. | ||
Cropping management | Include grass buffer strips (2m or more) for cultivated land next to waterways | - | $$ | $ | Effective for filtering run off and reducing the risk of fertiliser loss during spreading. More benefit on greater slope but wider buffer required. May require weed management but can provide habitat for beneficial predatory insects, reducing need for pest control. Light grazing with sheep or young cattle during dry periods can be useful to manage weeds. | |||
Irrigation water application | Measure and record soil moisture and rainfall to develop a soil water budget | - | - | - | - | $ | $ | There is value in collecting and using farm data to inform management decisions. Note local evapotranspiration data is needed to complete the water budget. |
Irrigation water application | Use water budget to schedule irrigation | - | - | - | - | $$ | $$$ | Water scheduling increases water efficiency. Benefits depend on current practice, soil type and farm system. Seek professional advice on water scheduling. Depends on irrigation type and farm system |
Irrigation water application | Do not exceed soil water infiltration rate | - | - | - | - | $ | $$ | Benefits depend on current practice, soil type and farm system. Seek professional advice to avoid drainage. Depends on irrigation type and farm system |
Irrigation water application | Maintain irrigation equipment | - | - | - | - | $$ | $$ | Check pipes are not leaking and nozzles are working well. Depends on irrigation type |
Farm training | Embed environmental management into farm practices by training and incentivising staff | - | - | - | - | $ | $ | Level of benefit will depend on staff members’ experience in environmental practice. |
Farm training | Encourage staff to attend Land and Environment Planning workshops | - | - | - | - | $ | $$$ | Level of benefit will depend on staff members’ experience in environmental practice. |