GrowEnvironmental policies - special edition Autumn 2021 - Ballance Agri-Nutrients
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Grow
Environmental policies
special edition
South Island
Autumn 2021
03 10 17
Contents
Message from the CEO Preventing pugging Gases into farm plans
04 11 18
Upcoming biodiversity
Future ready farming Exclusion explainer
policy
05 12
Essential Freshwater Catch nutrients and soil
14
Zero Carbon
20
Sustainable and viable
08 22
Using less N fertiliser Water rules for growers
09 16 23
Over to clover Tackling farm emissions A connected catchment
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is one of Since its inception in the SealesWinslow is a recognised
New Zealand’s leading fertiliser 1980s, Super Air has evolved leader in the production of
manufacturers. A 100 percent into one of New Zealand’s high-performance compound
farmer-owned co-operative, the leading agricultural aviation feeds and feed additives.
company has approximately companies. In addition to aerial A fully owned subsidiary of
18,000 shareholders and sells fertiliser application, Super Ballance, SealesWinslow has
around 1.5 million tonnes of Air has developed a world- manufacturing sites located
product each year, representing class reputation for aircraft in Morrinsville, Ashburton
a turnover close to $900 million. engineering and innovation. and Wanganui, and supplies
Its products include imported Wholly owned by Ballance, custom-blended pelletised
and locally manufactured Super Air services most of feed to farmers throughout
fertilisers, the majority of which the North Island, and from New Zealand. It also provides
attract a rebate for shareholders. February 2021 is also molasses feed blocks, feed
servicing the South Island. supplements and additives.
ballance.co.nz superair.co.nz sealeswinslow.co.nz
0800 222 090 0800 787 372 0800 287 325
02 / ballance.co.nz
Message from the CEO
In the Chinese calendar, 2021 is the year of the Ox. That’s a good sign for our primary industry, with the Ox
representing balance and strength.
These are the same characteristics protecting the environment. We are well- resilience and importance globally,
that will be needed as we adapt to placed, with many options to support and New Zealand’s reputation as an
new environmental policies this year. our customers to successfully farm and environmentally friendly producer of food
Most farmers and growers across thrive within the parameters of the new was highlighted.
New Zealand are actively making regulations.
Working together remains the key.
changes to comply with two major new
Over 10 years ago, in anticipation of Ballance, as your cooperative, is here to
environmental policies which have come
these policies, we started developing provide any guidance and assistance you
in quick succession, with a third on the
tools, services and products designed might need. Together, creating the best
horizon.
to reduce the primary sector’s soil and food on earth.
This special edition of Grow is about environmental footprint. These include
supporting farmers and growers MitAgator and SurePhos, both of which
adjust to this largely unfamiliar policy have much to offer in the freshwater
landscape. space. For more information see pages
20-21.
The Zero Carbon Act, the Essential
Freshwater package, and the upcoming Our development of science-based
National Policy Statement for innovation to support the sector is
Indigenous Biodiversity (due for release ongoing. As part of the Future Ready
in April 2021) are a significant shift in Farms programme, we look forward
environmental regulation. to offering an even greater range of
products, tools and technologies. This
Ballance’s focus on sustainable farming
Ballance-led programme, announced
means we support the intent of these
in late 2020, features 12 projects that
policies, but in our submissions, we
will significantly reduce the primary
provided constructive feedback on
sector’s environmental footprint and
some of the detail. It is vital that the
benefit multiple sectors, from forestry to
policies are backed by science, easy to
livestock production. For more on Future
understand, and consistently interpreted
Ready Farms see page 4.
for them to be effectively and efficiently
implemented. Regulatory change, like any change
programme, may initially seem quite
Ballance understands the challenges
daunting, but I remain highly optimistic
Mark Wynne
farmers and growers face juggling many Chief Executive Officer
about the future. In 2020 the primary
priorities including food production,
sector demonstrated yet again its Ballance Agri-Nutrients
maintaining animal welfare and
Grow South Island / 03
Ballance CEO
Mark Wynne and
Agriculture Minister
Damien O’Connor
Future ready farming
A major programme led by Ballance will minimise the primary sector’s impact on the environment and
benefit New Zealand.
Ballance is leading a five year “We know New Zealand’s food and fibres Mr O’Connor says another project
programme to significantly reduce the sector takes its responsibility to reduce will develop a nitrate inhibitor and
food and fibre sector’s environmental its environmental impact seriously, and technology to use with Spikey, a
footprint, while boosting economic this programme represents our ongoing world-leading technology developed
growth and sustainability. commitment to partnering with farmers by Pastoral Robotics Limited. Spikey
and growers on that journey.” is towed behind a tractor and detects
The $25.2 million Future Ready Farms urine patches in the paddock, the
programme, announced in December The new programme features 12 main source of the nitrogen losses.
2020, will develop new solutions to projects to develop products, tools, and The project will enable Spikey to apply
meet national environmental targets for technologies that will help farmers and the nitrate inhibitor, once developed,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, growers to continue to build on their which will hold the nitrogen in a more
agricultural chemical use, and nutrient sustainable agricultural practices. stable form, to reduce nitrate losses into
loss to waterways. waterways.
The outputs of the Future Ready Farms
The Ministry for Primary Industries’ programme will address multiple Ballance Chairman Duncan Coull says:
Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures (SFF sectors within the food and fibres “Our 12 projects will make a meaningful
Futures) fund has co-invested more sector including fertiliser manufacture, and positive difference in New Zealand’s
than $10 million into the programme. livestock production, forestry, collective efforts to move towards
horticulture, and arable, with projected a lower emissions economy. We’re
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor benefits of $1.063b to New Zealand
says: “Our farmers and growers are delighted to have the opportunity to lead
farmers by 2030. their delivery over the coming years.”
among the most progressive in the
world and have been working hard for One of the 12 projects is a forestry Mr O’Connor says SFF Futures was
years to increase productivity while project in partnership with Scion established to support initiatives that
minimising their environmental footprint. Research. make a positive and lasting difference.
This programme will contribute to these “Our key focus is sustainability. Anything
efforts across the country to further “The forestry project aims to develop a
product concept to support radiata pine we can do to farm smarter, with less
lower our emissions. impact on the environment will deliver
growth,” says Mr Wynne.
“It aims to trial and develop farm nutrient wider benefits to New Zealand.”
technologies that offer significant “This product concept has the
environmental benefits, while being potential to reduce the environmental FOR MORE INFORMATION
economically viable for our farmers.” impact while meeting the nutritional
requirements of the pine. In addition, www.sff-futures.mpi.govt.nz
Ballance CEO Mark Wynne says the product concept has the potential to
Ballance is extremely grateful to the reduce the requirement for agricultural
Government for its significant show of chemical application.”
support towards the programme.
04 / ballance.co.nz
Essential Freshwater
The Essential Freshwater Policy Package contains new rules which will particularly impact
high input, intensively grazed livestock systems such as dairy and sheep and beef.
Key rules affecting Where 1 October (or 1 November for Otago
and Southland) the same year
livestock farmers The rules apply to grazed areas of
pastoral farms, not to crops or pasture • the area of winter grazing is no
Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser not grazed by livestock. For paddocks greater than the maximum extent
cap for grazed areas of pastoral used for both pastoral (grazed) and used for winter grazing between 1
farms arable crops (ungrazed) in a year, the July 2014 and 30 June 2019.
cap only applies to N applied to the A resource consent is required for
The new rules for synthetic nitrogen
pasture, not to the crop. areas that do not meet these
(N) fertiliser are a significant change
in legislation for livestock farms. This When conditions. In Southland, if the scale,
is the first time in New Zealand a cap scope and intensity of winter grazing
In force from 1 July 2021, for the
has been placed on farm inputs such do not change from previous years
2021/22 season. By 31 July each year,
as fertiliser, rather than placing limits on (2014-2019), consent may not be
dairy farms must report N use for the
outputs, such as N leaching rates. required for the winter of 2021; contact
previous 12 months ending 30 June.
Environment Southland to discuss.
The new synthetic N rules will impact See page 8 for more.
approximately 10 per cent of New Where
Zealand’s pastoral farms (those applying Applies to any annual forage crop
Intensive winter grazing
more than 190 kg N/ha/year). grazed by livestock at any time between
restrictions
1 May and 30 September in any one
What What year.
Pastoral farms can only use up to 190 Areas used for intensive winter
kg N/ha/year of synthetic N on any grazing must comply with a Certified When
grazed hectare of pasture (excludes Freshwater Farm Plan. If no plan In force from 1 May 2021.
forage crops) AND averaged over exists, the cropped area must meet the
the total grazed area (includes forage See pages 10 and 12-13 for more.
following conditions:
crops). If this amount is to be exceeded,
a resource consent is needed before the • no greater than 50 ha or 10 per cent
rule is in force. of the property (whichever is greater)
• paddock has a mean slope ≤ 10°
Annual forage crops
‘Synthetic nitrogen (N)’ is any • pugging covers ≤ 50 per cent of the
exclude pasture, and
manufactured fertiliser product area (>5 cm depth), and is no deeper
are grazed on for one
(solid or liquid) containing than 20 cm (excluding around fixed
winter. Examples include
more than 5 per cent N by structures)
fodder beet, kale and
weight. The 190 kg cap applies • all livestock kept ≥ 5 m away from swedes.
to the amount of N, not the rivers, lakes, wetlands and drains at
amount of product. all times
• replanted as soon as practical, and by
Grow South Island / 05
Stock exclusion For new pastoral systems, the rules loads in the catchment, or concentrations
What apply from 3 September 2020. of contaminants in fresh water or other
receiving environments compared to
All new fencing must have a 3 m A fence already in place on 3 levels at 2 September 2020.
setback from the edge of a lake or September 2020 with a setback under
river more than 1 m wide. 3 m can remain in place if it meets For more information, contact your local
the minimum standards and excludes regional council.
Where and when animals from a waterway.
Applies to:
• dairy cattle, pigs, intensive beef and See page 11 for more.
deer on all slopes from 1 July 2023 Ballance’s position
• beef cattle and deer on low slope Can’t meet the rules? Feedback from Ballance and
land (≤ 10°), and dairy support from If the synthetic N fertiliser cap or others has helped to shape the
1 July 2025 intensive winter grazing rules cannot be Essential Freshwater package. For
met, a consent from the local regional example:
• cattle, deer and pigs excluded from
currently mapped wetlands from 1 council is needed. • the national bottom lines for
July 2023, and all other wetlands from Any increase in the area used for dissolved inorganic nitrogen and
1 July 2025. intensive winter grazing will need a dissolved reactive phosphorus
consent, specifically if the area is going have been put on hold
to be more than the largest area in • the requirement for an
hectares of winter forage crop grown average riparian setback of
between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2019. 5 m has been reduced to a 3 m
This temporary provision is in place minimum, and existing fences
until your council’s regional plan change not meeting this requirement do
gives effect to the new rules, or by 1 not need to be moved
January 2025, whichever comes first. • the requirements and
In deciding whether to grant consent, timeframes for farm environment
regional councils will consider a number plans are being developed
of things including how the intensive over the coming year, following
winter grazing affects the environment, concerns over a shortage of
and the recreational and cultural impacts. qualified rural professionals for
preparing and certifying farm
Consent won’t be granted if the environment plans within the
increased area for intensive winter specified timeframes.
grazing would increase contaminant
Essential Freshwater timeline
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026+
Resource consent required for land use intensification Council rules apply
Wetland protection (earthworks, vegetation clearance, drainage etc.)
Paddock selection Winter grazing restrictions (area, slope, pugging, buffer zones, resowing)
N fertiliser cap of 190 kg N/ha/year and reporting to regional council
Stock holding pads/stand-off and feedlots meet minimum standards, or consent required
Stock excluded from waterways > 1 m wide Beef cattle and deer on low slope
- dairy cattle, pigs, intensive beef and deer land (≤ 10°) and dairy support
Water use reporting 5-9 L/
10-20 L/second
> 20 L/second second
Farm environment plans - not required yet, but still important. Will be brought in by region/sector.
06 / ballance.co.nz
We can help
Ballance has a range of products Meeting the synthetic N fertiliser cap rules
and tools to help you adapt to the A maximum of 190 kg N/ha/year is:
new rules and remain viable. For • applied to each grazed paddock in pasture
more information see pages 20-21. • the average applied across all grazed paddocks (pasture and forage crops).
FOR MORE INFORMATION Dairy system with pasture only
4 x 1 ha paddocks in permanent pasture
ballance.co.nz/essential-
freshwater-policy N N N N
This is an interpretation/ 186 190 190 178
kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha Synthetic N
summary of the rules. To gain a fertiliser only -
better understanding visit mfe. dairy effluent is
not included
govt.nz. Always get professional
advice before investing any
money into remedial actions
and/or management changes.
üAverage = 186 kg N/ha/year
Dairy system with forage crop
3 x 1 ha paddocks in permanent pasture, 1 x 1 ha paddock of
forage crop, all paddocks grazed
N N N N The forage crop
186 74 190 306 paddock can receive
kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha
more than 190 kg N/
ha/year, as long as the
average across the 4
paddocks is a maximum
of 190 kg N/ha/year.
A regional council üAverage = 189 kg N/ha/year
perspective
“ Environment Southland
is working with industry
Dairy system with cut and carry
4 x 1 ha paddocks in permanent pasture, but 1 not grazed and only used for cutting
and other regional supplement
councils to ensure there is
consistent interpretation N N N N
186 190 190 210 The rules
and implementation of the kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha
new regulations. It’s a large do not apply
to paddocks
and complex package of not used for
regulations, and it’s taken grazing.
time for us to interpret and
understand how it fits with
our proposed Southland
Water and Land Plan. In üAverage = 189 kg N/ha/year
addition, in Southland we
established an advisory Dairy system with arable crop
group which was tasked with 3 x 1 ha paddocks permanent pasture, and 1 x 1 ha paddock used for grazed
reviewing and recommending pasture and summer maize silage crop (ungrazed). The fourth paddock has
some changes to the 210 kg N/ha/year applied to the maize, and 35 kg N/ha/year to the pasture
intensive winter grazing (a total of 245 kg N/ha/year).
rules. Our aim was to ensure
any changes considered N N N N
by Ministers would lead 186 190 190 245 The rules only
kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha kg N/ha apply to the 35
to better environmental kg N/ha applied to
outcomes and more practical the pasture, not the
implementation for farmers.
” arable/ungrazed
crop.
LUCY HICKS, Policy
and Planning Manager,
Environment Southland üAverage = 150 kg N/ha/year
Grow South Island / 07
Using less N fertiliser
Tips, tools and untruths to help make the most of every kilogram of nitrogen (N) applied and avoid the
pitfalls of reducing N fertiliser use.
Keep other nutrients optimal But keep in mind they only contain a both with and without N fertiliser,
Soil and herbage testing to ensure small percentage of plant available N, increases pasture yield within the first
levels of other macronutrients, such as so these substances would have to 21-25 days of application, but at the
sulphur, potassium and phosphorus, are be applied in huge amounts to boost expense of reduced yield in subsequent
optimal can help to minimise the impact growth (in the short term) to the same weeks 3,4,5.
of using less N. A shortage of sulphate- extent as specially manufactured
sulphur, for example, limits pasture’s fertiliser.
ability to take up N.
Grow more clover 1 McCloy BL 2009. Liquid urea on pasture
– Burnham, NZ Arable Trial Code Pa0819,
Maximise response from See opposite page. Confidential report prepared for Ballance Agri-
Nutrients
applied N
Similar response from fine 2 Risk JT, Dawson AE 2019. Comparing fine
Ballance has a range of products and particle and granular nitrogen response on
services to help make the most of N particle N Southland pastures. In Nutrient loss mitigations
used on farms. For more information Nitrogen applied in fine particle form for compliance in agriculture. (Eds. L.D. Currie
does not significantly increase pasture and C.L. Christensen). http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/
see My Pasture Planner, SustaiN, publications.html Occasional Report No. 32.
PhaSedN and PhaSedN Quick Start on production compared to granular N Fertiliser and Lime Research Centre, Massey
pages 20-21. application, according to research2. University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
3 Guinto D, Stafford A 2016. Product X report: trial
The research compared applying
Liquid N no better varying rates via either fine particle or
results 2015-16, Ballance Agri-Nutrients internal
report
While liquid N products are convenient, granular N form on a Southland dairy 4 Higgins S 2016. Comparison of the relative
research shows they do not result in farm. Pasture was harvested at four agronomic performance of several different
greater pasture responses. and eight weeks post N application plant growth promoting formulations in
ryegrass-based pasture, under non-moisture
One study, conducted on a dairy farm and wet weight and dry matter (DM) limited late winter/early spring conditions,
in central Canterbury, showed that were measured to determine pasture Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern
production and N response rates. Ireland
pasture responses to liquid and solid
5 Ledgard SF 2016. Review of research on effects
urea, applied at 20 or 40 kg N/ha, were of application of gibberellic acid alone or in
the same1. Gibberellic acid just brings feed combination with fertiliser nitrogen on pastures,
forward AgResearch report for Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Non-synthetic N not as plant The plant growth hormone gibberellic
available acid, applied with or without N fertiliser,
Dairy effluent, compost and plant or brings feed supply forward, but does not
animal waste such as chicken manure increase overall pasture yield.
are excluded from the synthetic N cap, Extensive trials in New Zealand and
so can be used freely. Ireland showed gibberellic acid, used
08 / ballance.co.nz
Over to clover
Higher clover content in pastures can help to compensate for reduced N fertiliser use.
Clovers’ conversion of N from the air White clover thrives on soils with Grazing management can prevent
into a plant available form for pasture adequate phosphorus (P), potassium shading. White clover does best under
can reduce the need for N fertiliser. (K) and sulphur (S), and molybdenum is rotational grazing with grass kept quite
essential for N fixation. short, and ryegrass kept under the
Many New Zealand pastures are around three-leaf stage.
10-15 per cent clover, but 30 per cent Clover requires more P than grasses,
is ideal. Increasing content to this and higher available P levels will Clover is preferentially grazed, so
amount would fix around 150 kg N/ ensure P is not limiting clover growth. set-stocking can reduce clover levels,
ha/year (dependent on overall pasture Maintenance P can be applied any time despite it being more resistant to
production) and deliver feed quality, dry throughout the growing season, but not overgrazing than ryegrass.
matter yield and animal productivity in wetter months and winter when P
benefits. loss can occur. If soil test levels are low, Establishing clover
P application will provide an immediate Cultivars should be suitable for the farm
Nutrients and pH boost. system – for example more tolerant of
New Zealand’s climate is ideal for Adequate K helps improve clover close grazing for sheep, or for rotational
clovers, but they are more sensitive to content. In most maintenance situations grazing for dairy.
nutrient deficiencies than ryegrass and where K levels are adequate, a single
other pasture species, and need good Clovers take up to 18 months to
application of K can be made at a establish in new pasture, but can
soil fertility to grow well. Clovers are suitable time during the growing
also sensitive to soil pH, growing best at establish faster without herbicide
season. In high loss situations where K residues from previous crops, and by
5.8-6.0. can leach, the application can be split to allowing at least three months in crop
Soil testing prior to establishment is ensure the plant has access to sufficient with no clover to control nematodes.
important, as is a soil and herbage K throughout the season.
testing programme to monitor soil When establishing clover-only crops, a
Sulphur is often deficient for clover spell without clover will manage pests.
fertility and plant nutrition over time. growth. On free draining ash soils,
This helps to prevent nutrient availability A clover-only sward is very attractive
application timing and the form of S to brown beetle/grass grub, which
limiting clover growth and pasture used (sulphate or elemental) are not
production. could cause problems on light soil in
important, but on other soil types the subsequent pasture
Clovers are poorer foragers for nutrients form of S used is guided by rainfall and
than grasses, so show signs of nutrient application timing. Grazing new pastures early on keeps
deficiencies sooner. A clover-only the sward open, letting sunlight in and
herbage test during the spring flush Managing grazing encouraging clovers.
when moisture levels and temperatures Growing close to the ground, clovers are
are not limiting growth helps to fine-tune easily shaded by grasses, particularly in FOR MORE INFORMATION
a fertiliser programme. mid to late spring when competing with Contact your Ballance Nutrient
ryegrass’s high growth rate. Specialist.
Grow South Island / 09
Preventing pugging
How can you minimise pugging on winter grazed forage crops?
Pugging reduces soil’s capacity to Tip 1 Tip 3
absorb water, so the risk of nutrient and
sediment loss in runoff increases. Aside
Use no-tillage Grow more than needed
from its potential impacts on water As the first defence against pugging, Growing more feed than planned means
quality, pugging also impacts pasture instead of cultivating, use no-tillage less damaging block grazing can be used
production. techniques which don’t damage the (see Tip 4).
soil structure and increase the risk of
Depending on severity, dairy pasture It’s difficult to grow the right amount of
pugging during forage crop grazing.
production can fall by 20 to 80 per cent forage crop for the winter. We know how
over several months to a year. Even two No-tillage techniques, which involve many and what type of animal we plan to
years on, total dry matter production no-till drills or broadcasting, have been graze, but don’t know how extreme the
on heavily pugged areas can be down successfully used for 30 to 40 years. weather will be.
15 to 20 per cent. Affected areas are Another bonus is that predators of
If very cold and wet more feed will be
vulnerable to weeds and less desirable grass grubs aren’t affected, as happens
required. Growing a great crop also
grasses, and prone to future pugging if when soil is cultivated. AgResearch
depends on the summer seasonal
soil structure remains damaged. data published 40 years ago made it
weather conditions. The 15 T dry matter/
clear that cultivation affects grass grub
Ballance Forage Specialist Murray Lane ha goal may end up in reality being 12
predators leading to an explosion of
shares his tips on minimising pugging T/ha, resulting in a large hole in the feed
grass grub three to four years after
on winter grazed forage crops. budget.
cultivation.
To minimise wastage of grazed forage
Tip 2 crops, strip grazing is often used, but
Sow a companion this can lead to more soil damage due to
hoof concentration, and is made worse
The new Government cover crop if stock have to walk back over the area
rules on intensive winter
Some farmers have been including already grazed to access water.
grazing on forage crops
Agritonic plantain in the seed mix with
coming into force on 1 May 2021
state that pugging (stock hooves
swedes and rape, in order to have a Tip 4
cover crop after grazing (see pages
penetrating the soil to 5 cm or more)
12-13). It works well with lighter animals
Block grazing
must not cover more than 50 per Multi-day block grazing is an increasingly
such as sheep, but requires some
cent of the grazed area, or be more common way of reducing pressure on
management with cattle, particularly
than 20 cm deep at any one point the soil.
older cattle (see Tip 4).
(except within 10 m of entrance
gates and fixed water It involves controlling the number of
troughs). hooves in a blocked, back fenced area,
using a mobile water trough, and focuses
on preventing soil damage rather than
optimising crop yield. The efficiency of
crop utilisation will decline, so it requires
more crop than essential to be grown
(see Tip 3).
It might be that the farmer offers the
stock four days grazing, being prepared
to move them at three days with
inclement weather. Observations are that
though stock initially gorge, they quickly
settle down to the new regime, move
less and are more settled, plus it frees up
farmer time for other activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Limiting pugging and compaction
damage - bit.ly/36eo5w5
Winter forage crops: management
after grazing - bit.ly/3pebWi2
Top tips for winter crop paddock
selection - bit.ly/39h9TEz
Agritonic plantain, sown as a companion
crop, providing a cover crop after swedes
10 / ballance.co.nz
are grazedExclusion explainer
What do the stock exclusion rules mean, and what do you have to do to meet the deadlines in the next few
years? Ballance Environmental Management Specialist Ian Power answers the big questions.
What (and who) do the new What about existing fences For rivers where highly mobile beds
rules apply to? with a setback under 3 m? make it too difficult to install a bridge
or culvert, cattle and pigs can cross if
The new stock exclusion rules include Existing fences with a setback under
supervised and actively driven across,
all pastoral farm systems – pigs, dairy 3 m already in place on 3 September
and do not cross the same lake or wide
cattle, dairy support cattle, deer and 2020 can remain if they meet the
river more than twice in any month.
beef – but not sheep or feral animals. minimum standards (post and batten
Any person who owns or controls stock with driven/dug fence posts, electric
must comply.
How will stock access water?
with at least two electrified wires and
driven/dug fence posts or deer fence) To supply water to stock, many farms
For land being newly converted to may have to invest in significant
and exclude animals from a waterway.
pastoral land use (such as forestry being water infrastructure. This will pose a
converted to dairy), the rules applied When these fences need major repairs significant cost, especially in hill country
from 3 September 2020. Compliance or replacement, they must be moved where water sources are limited and
deadlines for land already in pastoral to 3 m (or more) away from the edge of terrain makes it difficult to install water
use range from 1 July 2023 to 1 July the waterway. reticulation.
2025 (see page 6).
What about stock in wetlands? What about different regional
What are the benefits? All stock on low slope land (≤ 10°) must rules on stock exclusion?
Finding benefits in seemingly restrictive be excluded from any natural wetland In situations where regional council and
rules can feel hard. But besides that is 0.05 ha or more. national rules differ on any matter, the
improving water quality, excluding
most stringent rules always apply. So
stock can help to reduce stock losses, How can stock cross if you are in a region with stricter stock
and troughs can provide stock with an
waterways? exclusion rules, you must comply with
improved water supply. In addition, new
Stock crossings – bridges and culverts those instead of the national rules.
fencing can help to improve subdivision
and pasture utilisation and quality. – may be needed to keep cattle and
pigs out of waterways (there are no
restrictions for deer). However, these
crossings must be safe for stock, and
channel any runoff away from the
waterway. FOR MORE INFORMATION
This is an interpretation/
summary of the rules. To gain
a better understanding visit
mfe.govt.nz. Always get
professional advice before
investing any money into
remedial actions and/or
management changes.
Grow South Island / 11Catch nutrients and soil
Catch crops can reduce nutrient and soil loss from bare ground in winter.
According to new Government rules, • Catch crops project - run by Lincoln to smearing and compaction of wet soil
areas used for intensive winter grazing Agritech in partnership with Plant may be a problem.
(where stock graze an annual forage & Food Research, co-funded by
crop such as swedes or kale any time Ballance The Helicropping, protecting our
between 1 May and 30 September) soils project is investigating aerial
• Catch crop sediment mitigation oversowing of seed (where seed
must be replanted by 1 October, or, for project - led by AgFirst and involving
Otago and Southland by 1 November is broadcast onto the soil surface)
Beef + Lamb New Zealand and after winter grazing of kale or swede.
(see page 5). DairyNZ Helicropping, essentially aerial no-
“The goal is to, as far as practical, These and prior research projects have tillage, does not require machinery
always have plants growing to prevent proven the effectiveness of catch crops access and leaves the soil undisturbed.
soil and nutrient loss. This is where post-winter cropping. More recent work Depending on the scale of the sowing, a
catch crops (also known as cover has focused on how to best establish helicopter or a drone could be used.
crops) can help,” says Ballance Forage catch crops at scale for particular
Specialist Murray Lane. situations. Protecting seed
After winter forage crops are grazed,
from birds
short term catch crops can reduce Sowing into wet winter soils Hungry birds are another challenge
nutrient loss and soil erosion on land A major challenge to overcome is when seed is surface sown in winter,
that would otherwise be bare until sowing catch crops in very wet soil and ways of preventing birds from
the next main crop or new pasture is during winter, when heavy equipment, eating seeds have been investigated.
established in spring. Catch crops can especially cultivators, could damage Smaller seeds such as plantain are less
be established before, during or after a soil. Aerial oversowing of seed may likely to be eaten than larger seeds such
winter crop is grazed off. provide the solution. as oats. Bird repellent seed treatments
In winter, bare land is prone to nitrogen The Lincoln Agritech catch crop project such as Avipel look promising on
(N) leaching due to greater rainfall trials have, for accuracy’s sake, used ryegrasses, but more work is needed
and minimal plant uptake of N. This seed drills and tractors, but have also for large seeded species. The colour of
is particularly so after livestock have evaluated a spader drill which pushes treated seed – dyed green or blue – can
grazed winter forage crops and the tractor. However, soil damage due also help to camouflage the seed.
deposited large quantities of urine N
onto soil. In addition, bare sloping
land is vulnerable to soil erosion,
resulting in both soil and phosphate (P)
loss.
“Catch crops are a worthwhile tool to
consider, given their proven ability to
help prevent soil and nutrient losses
from the farm, as well as provide spring
grazing,” says Murray.
“To date catch/cover crops have really
only been used for multi-year maize
silage, when winter ryegrasses are
sown after harvest. But there’s
tremendous opportunity for them to
be put to use after winter forage crop
grazing.”
The following Ministry for Primary
Industries Sustainable Farming Fund
projects are investigating effective use
of catch crops:
• Helicropping, protecting our soils
project - a Ballance-led project in
partnership with Beef + Lamb New
Zealand, Agricom, PGG Wrightson
Seeds, Nufarm NZ and Environment An annual ryegrass cover crop surface sown in July after grazing swedes (right)
Bay of Plenty compared to no cover crop (left)
12 / ballance.co.nzAnnual ryegrass
seed treated with
bird repellent (right)
compared to no bird
repellent (left)
Suitable species summer, and tolerant to low rates of a is grazed well, the plantain regrows to
For catch cropping, species need to common herbicide. become a ready-made catch/cover crop.
be fast establishing and winter active. The plantain can provide two purposes
Options most commonly used are FOR MORE INFORMATION
if sown with a main crop such as
annual ryegrass, ryecorn or oats. swede. Firstly the plantain provides an Contact your Ballance Nutrient
The Helicropping, protecting our soils understorey during grazing to hold the Specialist or your rural supplies
project has focussed on annual ryegrass soil together. Secondly, if the main crop store.
as a catch/cover crop, and future work
will look at various combinations of
annual rye, oats and ryecorn. Catch or cover?
Catch crops are already used extensively in cropping, and are commonly
In trials looking into the use of catch
referred to as cover crops. They are traditionally sown in autumn to conserve
crops in winter to early spring to
nutrients over winter, reduce weeds and stabilize soil.
reduce N loss, the Catch crops project
found using oats in both Canterbury
and Southland resulted in significant
reduction (30-50 per cent) in N leaching
12
loss compared to leaving the soil
fallow, as well as enhanced oat crop
production. 10
The Catch crop sediment mitigation
project is evaluating a range of catch/ 8
Yield (t DM/ha)
cover crop species, initially ryegrass 234 kg DM/ha/day
and oats, followed by plantain and
clover, with a focus on establishment 6
techniques and barriers to uptake.
Improvements in sediment losses will 4
be measured across different soil types, 146 kg DM/ha/day
and the economic benefits of a range of
catch crops will be evaluated. 2
19 kg DM/ha/day
In the Helicropping, protecting our
soils project, farmer observations 0
led to plantain being evaluated as 21 Jul 18 Aug 15 Sep 13 Oct 10 Nov
a companion crop (sown with the
winter forage). Plantain is a suitable Figure 1 Daily growth rates of winter sown plants after grazed kale. They are
companion crop because it is low slow to get going, but are still effective at mopping up nitrogen.
growing, with shallow roots, even
flowering under the canopy over Source: Brendon Malcolm, Plant & Food Research
Grow South Island / 13Zero Carbon
Livestock farmers will be most impacted by the Zero Carbon Act.
The Zero Carbon
Act is likely to positively
impact forestry, as more trees
are planted to offset national
emissions. It will also have a
major effect on livestock farms.
More intensive farms, and those
with limited flexibility to adapt
their system or offset their
emissions, may be more
The Climate Change Response Climate change’s impacts on significantly impacted.
(Zero Carbon) Amendment Act sets agriculture
a framework for developing climate
Significant changes in New Zealand’s
change policies to help New Zealand
climate and weather are already being
prepare for and adapt to climate pressure and changes in seasonality
observed. These include higher land
change, and play its part in global for horticulture and arable crops.
and sea temperatures, sea level rise
efforts to limit warming.
and decreasing glacier volumes. Some
Key greenhouse gases
Under the 2016 Paris Agreement, New locations are experiencing drier soils,
altered precipitation patterns, fewer The Zero Carbon Act focuses on the
Zealand is one of nearly 200 countries
frost days, and more warm days. most abundant greenhouse gases
working to limit the global average
(aside from water vapour) in the
temperature increase to within 1.5° C of
For agriculture, these changes atmosphere. The gases differ in how
pre-industrial levels.
contribute to challenges around long they last and how effective they
The Zero Carbon Act came into force in water security, management of are at ‘trapping’ heat energy in the
late 2019 and is expected to take effect extreme weather events such as atmosphere (see Figure 1).
from 2021. droughts and floods, increased pest
Abundance Global warming
Average life span Agricultural
(concentration potential over a
in atmosphere sources
in atmosphere)* 100 year period**
Carbon
dioxide
413 Potentially long 1
ppm Machinery,
5 to 200 years fertiliser, cultivation
25
x carbon
Methane
1.88 Short dioxide
ppm Livestock (enteric
About 12 years fermentation)
Nitrous
oxide
0.333
ppm
Moderate 298
x carbon Urine and dung,
About 114 years dioxide
fertiliser, crop residue
Figure 1 The Zero Carbon Act focuses on the most abundant greenhouse gases (besides water vapour)
* Besides water vapour. Based on NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory figures for 2020.
** Carbon dioxide is used as a reference gas, so has a global warming potential of 1.
14 / ballance.co.nzThe Commission will also develop a risk Ballance’s position
In 2018, 48 per cent of New and adaption plan, and provide advice While Ballance supports New Zealand
Zealand’s greenhouse gas and guidance to the Government. playing its part in international climate
emissions were from agriculture, change mitigation, we recognise its
and 74 per cent of those were He Waka Eke Noa: Primary Sector
Climate Action Partnership unique emissions footprint, and the key
biogenic methane from ruminant role our agriculture sector plays in its
livestock (sheep and cow burps). Established in March 2020, He Waka economy and communities.
Eke Noa is a Government-industry
partnership to reduce primary sector Our submission on the Zero Carbon
What’s new? emissions. It is working to equip farmers Bill in July 2019 highlighted the support
to measure, manage and reduce businesses involved in the agriculture
The Zero Carbon Act introduces agricultural greenhouse gas emissions sector would need so as to build a
several key changes. and adapt to climate change. It will stable, practical foundation for action
A separate reduction target for provide the information, tools and and investment in climate change
biogenic methane support needed for all farms to have an mitigation and adaptation.
annual report of emissions as part of
The Act sets new greenhouse gas We supported formation of a Climate
their farm environment plan, and a plan
emissions targets, aiming to reduce Change Commission, but asked for
in place to reduce emissions.
emissions of: it to include expertise from business,
• biogenic methane to 10 per cent The programme includes collaboration trade and the primary sector, and were
below 2017 levels by 2030, as part on the design of an appropriate pleased with the final outcome.
of reducing levels to 24-47 per cent farm level pricing mechanism as
an alternative to pricing agricultural We also supported an industry-led
below 2017 levels by 2050
emissions through the Emissions approach to achieving reduction targets
• all other greenhouse gases to such as He Waka Eke Noa, but had
net zero by 2050 (no new greenhouse Trading Scheme. A price on emissions
is one part of a broader framework to questions about the resources required
gases can be added to generate budgets and plans for all
to the atmosphere without being equip farmers and growers to reduce
on-farm agricultural greenhouse gas farms.
offset).
emissions and build resilience to climate We did not support the large range
change. for required methane reduction by
Why a separate target? Key milestones of He Waka Eke Noa 2050, as it does not provide certainty
are: for farmers and growers, and instead
Biogenic methane is recently
asked for a single science-based
derived from carbon dioxide in the
25 per cent of farmers target. The methane reduction range
atmosphere, so does not add to
and growers have a may be refined by the Climate Change
what is already there.
Dec report of their annual total Commission over time.
Fossil methane, on the other 2021 greenhouse gas emissions
hand, releases carbon that has and a written plan to FOR MORE INFORMATION
typically been stored underground manage emissions
Contact your local Ballance Nutrient
for millions of years, so adds to
Specialist or one of our specialist
carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
All farmers and growers Farm Sustainability Services team.
Biogenic methane still has some have a report of their For an in-depth discussion on the
Dec policy contact your industry group,
warming effect during its relatively 2022 annual total greenhouse
short life, before decaying back to gas emissions such as DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb
carbon dioxide. New Zealand, Horticulture New
Zealand or the Foundation for Arable
Pilot project testing system Research.
Dec for farm-level emissions
Climate Change Commission
2023 accounting and reporting
An independent Climate Change completed
Commission has been set up to focus By 2025 all
on the emissions reduction targets. Its farms need an
task is to provide the Government with All farmers and growers annual report of
‘emissions budgets’ every five years Dec have a written plan to emissions and a
(starting 1 February 2021) to monitor 2024 measure and manage plan to reduce
progress towards meeting emissions emissions these.
reduction targets ahead of achieving
the final 2050 targets.
All farms using system
The Government will review the
for farm-level accounting
emissions reduction targets every five Jan and reporting of 2024
years, taking into account equity of 2025
agricultural emissions at
contribution across sectors and across
farm level
countries, emerging technologies and
mitigations, and other factors.
See page 17 for more.
Grow South Island / 15Tackling farm emissions
What options are currently available for curbing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions?
With farm-level greenhouse gas Reducing milking emissions by an average of 44 per cent
measurement and pricing expected to Once-a-day milking can reduce daily for cattle and 37 per cent for sheep, with
be implemented by 2025, farmers and feed demand, and therefore methane emissions reductions proportional to the
growers may already be thinking about emissions, by lowering the daily milk proportion of rape in the diet3.
reducing emissions. yield per cow. Reduced labour and other Plantain has been found to be helpful
An important first step is to estimate input costs may help to compensate for in reducing nitrous oxide emissions. A
baseline emissions (using tools such as a drop in production. study found that nitrous oxide emissions
Lincoln University’s carbon calculator in autumn and winter were 39 to 74 per
or OverseerFM), so the effect of actions Maximise nitrogen use cent less where plantain was planted
can be assessed. efficiency compared to perennial ryegrass4.
Soon after application, most nitrogen
When it comes to actions, there’s no
fertilisers can be lost as the greenhouse FOR MORE INFORMATION
one-size-fits-all, and factors such as
gas ammonia, which when re-deposited
the farm system and location should For more on actions to reduce on-
onto land is turned into more
be considered. A selection of currently farm greenhouse gas emissions visit
problematic nitrous oxide.
available, science-based tactics for www.AgMatters.nz
reducing on-farm greenhouse gas Optimising nitrogen fertiliser
emissions are covered below. applications helps to reduce emissions
of ammonia and resultant nitrous oxide, 1 van der Weerden T, Beukes P, de Klein C,
Continue to improve efficiency by maximising plant uptake of nitrogen. Hutchinson K, Farrell L, Stormink T, Romera A,
Dalley D, Monaghan R, Chapman D, Macdonald
While total emissions have gradually K, Dynes R 2019. The Effects of System
Ballance’s My Pasture Planner
increased, improved pasture Changes in Grazed Dairy Farmlet Trials on
tool optimises the timing, rate and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Animals (Basel).
management (including improved use
placement of nitrogen applications 2018 Dec 7;8(12):234
of fertiliser and irrigation), optimised
on farm, while fertilisers with a urease 2 Beukes P, Gregorini P, Romera A 2011.
stocking rates and improved animal Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from
inhibitor, such as SustaiN, also help to
genetics have all contributed to New Zealand dairy systems using a mechanistic
reduce the production of ammonia.
reductions in New Zealand’s agricultural whole farm model and inventory methodology,
Animal Feed Science and Technology 166–167:
emissions intensity (emissions per unit See pages 20-21 for more information 708-720
of product). Between 1990 and 2014, on SustaiN and My Pasture Planner. 3 Sun X, Pacheco D, Luo D 2016. Forage brassica:
dairy’s emissions intensity reduced 19 A feed to mitigate enteric methane emission.
per cent, sheep by 33 per cent and beef Low emission feeds Animal Production Science. 56. 451. 10.1071/
by 23 per cent (see Figure 1). Brassica crop trials show promise in
AN15516
4 Plantain shows potential for reducing
reducing biogenic methane emissions.
Improve animal performance Compared to pasture, diets of 100 per
greenhouse gas emissions [accessed January
2021] https://www.agresearch.co.nz/news/
and reduce stocking rate cent rape, the most rigorously tested plantain-shows-potential-for-reducing-
crop to date, consistently reduce greenhouse-gas-emissions/
Methane and nitrous oxide emissions
are closely related to the quantity of
feed consumed. Lowering the quantity
of dry matter ingested on farm means
less methane belched from animals, 1.1 Dairy Beef Sheep (lamb and mutton)
Emission intensity (relative to 1990)
and less nitrogen from urine and dung
converted into nitrous oxide.
1
Reducing the replacement rate in dairy
systems by improving animal health
0.9
and longevity, better genetics, and
re-evaluating supplementary feeding
and fertiliser practices are all possible 0.8
actions to support this tactic1.
Farm system modelling shows reducing 0.7
the replacement rate (and therefore the
number of non-productive animals) on
0.6
dairy farms from 21 to 16 per cent can 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
up to 6 per cent. When combined with Year
other mitigations such as improved Figure 1 New Zealand’s agricultural greenhouses gases emissions intensity by
genetics and reduced nitrogen fertiliser, agricultural sub-sector including nitrogen fertiliser use (1990-2014)
total emissions were reduced by 15-20
per cent2. Source: New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2014
16 / ballance.co.nzGases into farm plans
He Waka Eke Noa is on track to achieve a major milestone by the end of the year.
Primary sector bodies are working on The new farm plan will also help farmers the requirements through integrated
including greenhouse gas emissions in meet their business objectives and get and certified Good Agriculture Practice
farm plans templates, using He Waka ahead of their consumer and social (GAP) farm environment plans.
Eke Noa guidance. licence obligations. For most growers, this will mean
documenting annual emissions from
In December 2020 He Waka Eke A key priority for this work is to help fertiliser use.
Noa released guidance on managing farmers tackle emerging environmental
agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. requirements on their farms (climate
FOR MORE INFORMATION
change, freshwater, biodiversity and
This represents an important step soils) in an integrated and holistic way. hewakaekenoa.nz
towards meeting the major milestone
of 25 per cent of farmers knowing Refer to your relevant industry body.
He Waka Eke Noa guidance and
Growers can contact Horticulture
their farm's greenhouse gas emissions requirements will be integrated into
New Zealand, their product group, or
numbers, and having greenhouse gas B+LNZ’s farm plans over time. B+LNZ
FAR for a mixed farming system.
emissions incorporated into their farm is also developing a free calculator for
plans by the end of 2021. beef and sheep farmers to measure
emissions and sequestration. This is due
Farmers will not need multiple farm for completion in April/May and once
plans, as integrated farm environment Integrating a Māori
ready will be incorporated into B+LNZ
plans will build on the plans currently farm plans. perspective
being developed under Essential Drawing on its vast network, the
Freshwater, according to DairyNZ. B+LNZ has also been working with Federation of Māori Authorities
processors on aligning its farm plans (FOMA): Me Uru Kahikatea
DairyNZ's Step Change project (dairynz. with the New Zealand Farm Assurance
co.nz/step-change) is helping farmers has convened Te Aukaha to
Programme, to try to extract a consumer connect and bring together
with ways they can reduce greenhouse premium for climate change work.
gases, improve water quality, and Māori agribusiness experts at
improve profitability. Their ‘Know your Horticulture New Zealand, horticulture a governance, technical and
numbers’ campaign includes calculating industry product groups, Foundation farming level. This ensures a
methane emissions and purchased for Arable Research (FAR) and grower Māori perspective is integrated
nitrogen surplus per hectare. reference groups are also participating throughout all the work that
in the He Waka Eke Noa programme. progresses across He Waka
In March, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is Eke Noa.
launching a new farm planning resource Horticulture New Zealand and product
to replace and build on its existing Land groups are developing a simple solution
and Environment Plans. for fruit and vegetable growers to meet
He Waka Eke Noa partners have appointed a steering group to provide oversight and ensure delivery of the milestones and objectives
(left to right): Tanira Kingi - Federation of Māori Authorities, Bruce Thorrold - DairyNZ, Martin Workman - Ministry for the Environment,
Ruth Fairhall - Ministry for Primary Industries, Vaughan Payne - iwi/Māori, Karen Williams - Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Michelle
Sands - Horticulture New Zealand, Jeremy Baker - Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Michael Ahie - Independent Chair, Charlotte Rutherford -
Agrifood Processors. Also pictured is Programme Director Kelly Forster.
Grow South Island / 17Upcoming biodiversity policy
The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB), set for release
in April 2021, is likely to have an impact on forestry and all farming sectors.
Biodiversity’s importance providing habitat for native skinks, or Indigenous Vegetation Targets
the presence of a particular plant or
for primary production invertebrate. They represent the most
What and where
Protecting and enhancing biodiversity iconic and highly valued indigenous Regional councils will be asked
on farm is not just critical for indigenous biodiversity. to assess the total percentage of
biodiversity, which is at a crisis point, it indigenous vegetation cover in the
also provides ecosystem services such In some regions, such as Waikato, SNAs region (both rural and urban), and set
as clean water, nutrient cycling and have already been mapped. targets to increase this cover to:
pollination, which are critical for the long • at least 10 per cent in urban areas
When
term sustainability of New Zealand’s (as this is where ecosystems are
farms and orchards. Regional councils must map SNAs within particularly depleted)
five years of the release of the NPSIB.
Our country’s unspoilt nature is already • a council-set target in rural areas, if the
used to promote exports, and greater region’s total indigenous vegetation
returns are possible by meeting the cover is under 10 per cent.
increasing demands for environmentally
Celebrating good work When
sustainable production from some Ballance supports the significant
Timelines have not been set.
markets. efforts that go into promoting
indigenous biodiversity on farms.
One way we do this is through How it could affect you
Key proposals The NPSIB’s impact will depend on the
the Ballance Farm Environment
The following policies appeared in Awards, which recognise individual property.
the proposed NPSIB, and are likely to and celebrate good farm
feature in some form in the final policy Properties with SNAs are likely to be
practices, including protection
statement. The policies only cover most impacted. Given the proposed
of indigenous biodiversity,
terrestrial (land-based) biodiversity. criteria for identifying SNAs, it’s possible
that promote sustainable land
(although unlikely) that in some areas
management.
Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) SNAs could cover most, if not all, of
What In 2020, the awards recognised entire farms.
Mark and Felicity Brough by
Regional councils will be asked to If an SNA is identified on a property,
naming them Regional Supreme
identify: a range of measures in the statement
Winners for the Waikato. Since
• all SNAs in their region, using new could then severely restrict existing and
taking over their Waitomo farm
standardised criteria, and work with new activities a farmer could undertake
Paerua 20 years ago, their
landowners to create management within or adjacent to the SNA.
commitment to biodiversity has
plans to protect these SNAs seen native birds returning and The farmer would have to ensure
• priority SNAs to restore and enhance. water quality improving. disruption or damage to a species,
Where habitat or ecosystem from existing
The judges said Paerua is an
activities does not increase.
SNAs are areas of significant excellent example of farming
indigenous vegetation, such as native within the capabilities of the While most existing farming activities
forests and shrubland, as well as land and that the Broughs are could continue, new or changed
habitats of significant fauna, such as role models both in terms of activities that could negatively impact
threatened kiwi. They could be a native their farming systems and their an SNA (such as increasing stocking
bush block or wetland, or something commitment to biodiversity. rate, stock access, machinery, or the use
less obvious, such as a rock outcrop of pesticide and herbicide around or
18 / ballance.co.nzwithin the SNA) may be restricted. restored indigenous biodiversity could new rules and remain viable. For more
be impacted the most by measures information see page 20-21.
If a new activity is allowed, its restricting activities in and around
negative impacts on an SNA must be SNAs. The measures could leave them FOR MORE INFORMATION
avoided, remedied, mitigated, offset or with the greatest costs and potential
compensated. This could in effect limit limitations to the ongoing use of their Contact your local Ballance Nutrient
the ability to carry out new activities. land, while farmers who have done Specialist or for more detailed
little in the way of biodiversity would be information, one of our specialist
The legal requirement to maintain Farm Sustainability Services team or
or restore an SNA may also include effectively rewarded.
your regional council.
improving fencing and controlling pests To overcome this, Ballance suggested
and weeds, so could pose a significant setting 1990 as a land use and
cost. restoration baseline, to reward those Environment Southland’s
who have protected areas since then. A submission
Ballance’s position council rates charge (based on habitat In its submission on the proposed
Ballance supports the core intent of loss) or relief (based on enhancement) NPSIB, Environment Southland
the policy to ‘halt further loss and would also reward those who have noted the proposal significantly
degradation of indigenous species, done good work. shifts the requirements for
habitats and ecosystems’ throughout managing indigenous biodiversity
New Zealand, and understands the Indigenous vegetation cover in Southland, and would impact
importance of tackling this issue National targets for afforestation do not the council and the wider
nationally, with farmers and landowners consider regional variation in landscape Southland community.
playing their part. or land use intensity.
The council noted that many of
Below are the main points Ballance Ballance suggested calculating the requirements in the NPSIB
raised in its submission on the NPSIB. requirements for percentage cover by exceed its capability, and asked
region based on national priorities and for work to be prioritised to reduce
Managing immediate threats to targets for specific vegetation types the strain.
biodiversity or habitats, and considering regional
It was also concerned that linking
Ballance was concerned that the variations in economic impacts on
SNAs to Resource Management
policy’s goal of increasing indigenous farmers if they have to retire land.
Act regulations could hinder
vegetation cover and improving development of non-regulatory
degraded SNAs could be undermined We can help methods, partnerships and
if widely present, rapidly increasing Ballance has a range of products and meaningful change.
pest species are not first reduced or services to support you to adapt to the
eradicated.
We suggested regional councils take
a prioritised approach to supporting
improved indigenous biodiversity in
their region (see Figure 1), and ensure Examples
Hig
that farmers are supported in managing Priority 1: Halt decline Mustelids,
h
threats such as wallaby. wallabies,
Target: Immediate threats wilding pines,
Resourcing and expertise velvetleaf etc.
Ballance highlighted the lack of
specialist knowledge available to
accurately assess every SNA in the Priority 2: Maintain Land use pressure
(i.e. extensive grazing
country in five years.
Re
Target: Long term pressures on native tussock land)
so
Ballance suggested creating a national
urc
ecological steering group of experts
ing
and relevant stakeholders to advise on Priority 3: Improve
pri
priorities, programmes and assessment
ori
criteria. Target: Restore
ty
and
The steering group would ensure that Restoration of degraded wetland,
enhance
resources could be prioritised towards increasing indigenous vegetation cover
the most nationally critical areas (in line
with Figure 1), and that responsibilities
for resourcing and funding restoration
and enhancement of SNAs are fair and
Lo
clearly defined.
w
SNAs on farms Figure 1 Ballance’s suggested prioritised approach for supporting improved
indigenous biodiversity
Farmers who have protected or
Grow South Island / 19You can also read
