Sustainable Production in Agriculture & Horticulture

Ian Brown- Ian Brown-

Otago Regional CouncilOtago Regional Council

30th September 200330th September 2003

Sustainable Production Sustainable Production What is it? What is it?

Sustainable Production Sustainable Production What is it? What is it?

“development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

Sustainability involves:– considering social, cultural, financial & environmental dimensions– taking a long term view– participation & partnership

The social dimensionThe social dimension

• Changes in landuse can change the whole social structure of a district.– eg. Forestry and dairy farming

• Adverse climatic events can have dramatic (eg. Drought, floods, late frosts etc) social impact. – About managing the risks.

• Economic rises and declines also have social impact.

The cultural dimensionThe cultural dimension

• Natural resources have a special spiritual significance to Maori.

• Priority is to maintain the properties of water that are necessary to ensure the sustainability of customary uses.– Customary uses range from the use of water for

ceremonial purposes to the maintenance of quality of water for Mahika Kai populations and habitat.

“I’VE GOT CUSTOMARY RIGHTS MATE… M’OLD GREAT

GRANDAD STARTED DUMPING STUFF HERE IN 1862”

Jock’s view on the environment

The economic dimensionThe economic dimension

• “Its hard to be green when you are in the red.”• Short term profits often dominate peoples

thinking & approach to managing business.• Sometimes radical short term economic

change is required for long term prosperity.– eg. Reforms of the 1980’s, Lake Tutira

• Water is a limited resource in

some areas.

•Aspirations

•Beliefs

•Motivation

Is “sustainability” an issue?Is “sustainability” an issue?

Is “sustainability” an issue?Is “sustainability” an issue?

To central and local government

•Resource management Act - (1991)

•Research investment - ($100m)

•Environment 2010 strategy

•SLM strategies - (SI High Country, NI Hill Country, Aquatic ecosystems)

•Sustainable agriculture policy

•Bio-diversity strategy

“Wheelbarrows full of strategies and plans”

Is “sustainability” an issue?Is “sustainability” an issue?

To farmers:

•“Our children will hate us if we don’t conserve our soils and our land”

•“As land managers we are stewards of the resource”

•“I want to pass something tangible onto my kids that they can be proud of “

Is “sustainability” an issue?

To environmental advocates:

•“…. The huge expansion in dairying is taking a heavy toll on the environment - is dairy intensification sustainable?” (Fish & Game)

•“….. NZ has one of the world’s worst records for biodiversity loss (Draft Biodiversity strategy, 1999)

for ahealthy lifenaturally

Is “sustainability” an issue?

To our customers:

•“We agree that environmental considerations should be taken fully into account in the upcoming WTO negotiations. (G-8 leader 1999)

“OOOOH BUGGAR…. D’YA MEAN THEY’R COMING INSIDE TH’GATE?!”

Customers ARE coming in the gate.

“OOOOH BUGGAR…. D’YA MEAN THEY’R COMING INSIDE TH’GATE?!”

Customers ARE coming in the gate.

Is “sustainability” an issue?

To the average New Zealander:

•“…..?”

•“…..?”

•“…. ?

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issuesYes, there are “Sustainability” issues

The current state of some of our rivers & streams is of concern.

There are strong links between stream water quality and farming practices.

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issues

The current state of some of our rivers & streams is of concern.

There are strong links between stream water quality and farming practices.

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issues

But its not just effluent that’s the problem.

Dairy effluent disposal & tile drains are a real concern.

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issues

There are strong links between soils management & water quality

Land management can change soil health dramatically

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issues

Many areas in New Zealand are subject to erosion in one form or another.

Yes, there are “Sustainability”

issues

In a clean green NZ the way agrichemicals are used is increasing coming under the spotlight.

•Spray drift•Loss of biodiversity•Organic production

The ExpressJune 10, 1999

“The use of pesticides, antibiotics and synthetic chemicals ….. ….. cause of the increase in food related illness”

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issues

In many areas water is a limited

resource

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issuesYes, there are “Sustainability” issues

The high country

– spread of hieracium

– loss of tussock communities

– weed spread

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issuesYes, there are “Sustainability” issuesDespite significant gains over the past 25years, NZ has a long way to go to protect its biodiversity.” (Biodiversity strategy 1999)

Yes, there are “Sustainability” issuesYes, there are “Sustainability” issues

What is the price of development?

The good news!!The good news!!

What is the price of development?

The good news is!!!The good news is!!!

• Its not all bad news, some good things are happening!

Market Gardening

Cover crops

•Improving soil structure & reducing nitrate loss

•1996 cover crop demo <20% using cover crops

•1999 - 60%+ using cover crops

CroppingCropping

Direct drilling

•Reducing the risk of wind & rill erosion & improving soil structure

•1994 - 66% conventional cultivation

•1999 - 66% Direct drilling or Minimum tillage

Riparian fencingRiparian fencing

•The target in the Otago region is that all dairy cows are excluded from waterways by July 2005

•Nationally the target is to have all dairy cows out of waterways by 2012

Erosion controlErosion control

•Large areas of erodible East Coast hill country are now protected with a tree cover.

Wetland Wetland enhancementsenhancements

•Many wetlands are now being protected and secured under some form of covenant

Tussock grasslandsTussock grasslands

Code of practice for the burning of tall tussock grassland– A novel non-regulatory approach to

tussock grassland management.– Places responsibility for sustainable

management in hands of landowner.– Allows landowners the flexibility to

make management decisions;

Industry guidelines and quality Industry guidelines and quality control programmescontrol programmes

• Dairy industry– Dairy accord– Market Focused

• Deer industry– Quality assurance scheme– Best practice guidelines

• Horticulture industry– Integrated fruit production– Viticulture - ISO 14001

accreditation

ProgrammesProgrammes

Farm planningFarm planning

•Identifying the risks

•Developing a management plan

•Monitoring & review

Catchment Catchment programmesprogrammes

• Lake Taupo & Rotorua Lakes• Similar programmes in other regions• Taieri Trust programme• Seven ORC sponsored catchment programmes

in Otago

Washpool exampleWashpool example

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

BOD 2 8 4 2 18 25 6 1

E Coli 180 9800 1500 4800 6900 22900 450 75

NNN 0.336 0.329 0.214 0.28 0.194 0.039 0.05 0.026

Ammonia N 0.08 0.98 0.24 0.13 6.12 3.6 0.09 0.04

DRP 0.245 0.11 0.14 0.169 0.215 0.851 0.111 0.022

Turbidity 8.4 41 18 14 25 38 24 3.7

DO 5.4 3 3.4 6.1 0.6 4.7 3.5 5.5

Conductivity 0.285 0.294 0.3 0.249 0.58 0.445 0.245 0.272

Temperature 16 15.5 15.5 16.2 16.2 17.3 16.7 14.7

Samples taken February 12th 2003

Planting programmesPlanting programmes

• Plantings for erosion control, wind erosion and biodiversity

Field days & discussion groupsField days & discussion groups

Dairy discussion groups

Drought species

Farm forestry

Soils

Tussock grasslands mgt.

Irrigation efficiency

Resource information Resource information

Guidelines Guidelines

There is a wealth of information available on most issues

Then of course Then of course there are the there are the

rules! rules! • There are rules that cover most

farming or horticulture activities that may adversely impact the environment.

• Sometimes a prosecution is required

“OOOOH BUGGAR…. D’YA MEAN THEY’R COMING INSIDE TH’GATE?!”

“IT’S BEEN A SOD OF A MORNING REALLY… FAILED A SPOT CHECK ON THE

SHED, STUFFED UP THE COUNTRY’S EXPORTS TO EUROPE, AN’ FOR SOME

REASON SEEM TO HAVE PISSED OFF THE NEIGHBOURS!”

““Sustainability is not business as usual with a Sustainability is not business as usual with a few concession but a completely new road.”few concession but a completely new road.”

International conference on sustainable land management - Napier 1991International conference on sustainable land management - Napier 1991

Sustainable Production in Agriculture & Horticulture