Alison Dewes Solution to Pollution presentation1

28 Pages·2013·2.21 MB·English

by  Alison Dewes

HEALTHY BUSINESS + HEALTHY CATCHMENTS
Can we have our cake and eat it too?
Dr. Alison Dewes
Background
• Vet Graduate Massey – 1987
• 4th Generation Farmer
(Ellesmere→Leeston→Waihou Blue Spring) = Intergenerational Change)
• Farmed 20 Years
, Waikato and Victoria Australia
• Nestle Australia –
Developed Quality Assurance Scheme following Endosulfan Scare.
• Manager Intelact Consultancy Australia –
Assisted Farmers through two major droughts
+ loss of water rights (2001-2006)
• Agribusiness Commonwealth Bank Australia.
• Post Grad Study – Nutrient Management + Ecology(NZ)

Manage Headlands Consultancy – Developing Minimal Footprint +
(Waikato NZ)
Optimal Profit Farming Systems
70% of N load is from non point
70% of streams outside main stem of sources.
Waikato River, are now unfit for 16% of Waikato groundwater
contact recreation + 75% are unfit for samples are above World
stock drinking water.(Coliform loads) Standards for Nitrate.
3
Nitrogen Load to Rivers
Kg/ha/yr
0 5 10 15 20
Waikato 65%
Waihou 75%
Waitoa
Piako R
Piako 85%
Background Point sources Developed land
State of Waikato Soils
•Only 34% of Waikato’s Soils meet the SOIL
QUALITY GUIDELINES
•Dairy 28% meet the Soil Quality Guidelines Drystock 37% meet guidelines.
Soil Quality Report 2009 (EW Docs 10/016)

•40000 ha of Peat in Waikato. Shrinking at rate of 25-40mm per year. (Peters, Landcare)
•>10% of all soil monitor sites have HIGH CADMIUM LEVELS > 1 mg/kg– loss of
versatility.
Changing Dairy Systems last decade
Farm system
1 – 0% supplement used
2 – 414% dry cows grazing off milking area
3 – 10-20% dry cows and to extend lactation autumn
4 – 20-30% dry cows and extend lactation both ends
5 – 30-40% for year round feeding
Typical NZ Farm Systems are changing
• Most farms feed supplements
• System 4 & 5 farms are more common
• 40% system 4&5 possible by 2020
Source: Dexcel Profitwatch information (2000-2002) in Hedley (2006)
DairyNZ Econ. Survey 2009-10 and 2010-11
2020 with “business as usual”

45
Farm systems - % Bought in
40
feed to DAIRY FARMS
35
1 – 0% supplement used
30

s
m
25 2000-02
r
a
f 2 – 4-14% dry cows grazing
of 20 2009-10

% off milking area
2010-11
15

2020 est.
10
3 – 10-20% dry cows extend
5
lactation autumn
0

1 2 3 4 5
4 – 20-30% dry cows and
Farm system
extend lactation both ends
Source: Dexcel Profitwatch information (2000-2002) in Hedley (2006)

DairyNZ Econ. Survey 2009-10 and 2010-11
5 – 30-40% for year round
Typical NZ Farm Systems are changing
feeding
• Most farms feed supplements
• System 4 & 5 farms are more common
• 40% system 4&5 possible by 2020
Is it Time for new thinking?
Peter Singleton WRC

Dewes 2011 8
For Future Generations
Peter Singleton WRC
Dewes 2011 9
Waikato River at Tutukau Road : 60K North of Taupo