Early Bird I Thursday October 10th 2024

Farmers get breathing room as the government halts freshwater plan implementation, Southland farmers face potential consent requirements following court ruling, and positive start to Spring for fruit growers. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Farmers get breathing room as the government halts freshwater plan implementation The Coalition Government has taken a significant step to restore confidence in the rural sector by pausing the rollout of freshwater farm plans. This move, announced by Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, aims to make the system more affordable and practical for farmers and growers across New Zealand. Minister Hoggard explained that while freshwater farm plans are intended to help manage environmental risks, the current system has proven neither cost-effective nor fit for purpose. To implement this pause, the government plans to introduce an amendment to the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. This change is expected to take effect before the year's end, providing immediate relief to thousands of farmers facing looming deadlines for plan submission and certification. The pause is particularly crucial for farmers in Southland and Waikato, where the first freshwater farm plans were due in February 2025.  This pause in the freshwater farm plans rollout is just one element of the government's wider plan to, as McClay put it, "get Wellington out of farming." The goal is to empower farmers to excel in their roles as sustainable producers, meeting the demands of international markets without being bogged down by excessive regulation. Southland farmers face potential consent requirements following court ruling A recent Court of Appeal decision could have far-reaching implications for Southland's farming community, potentially requiring nearly all farmers in the region to apply for resource consents to continue their operations lawfully. Environment Southland, the regional council, is now taking its concerns to the government, highlighting the significant impact this ruling could have on local farming practices. The court's decision centres on Rule 24 of the Southland Water and Land Plan, which aimed to allow incidental diffuse discharges from farming activities as a permitted activity. However, the Court of Appeal has indicated that this rule may not comply with Section 70 of the Resource Management Act, particularly concerning degraded water bodies. Wilma Falconer, Chief Executive of Environment Southland, expressed doubts about the environmental benefits of additional resource consents, stating that the existing land use rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan already provide necessary protections. The council is concerned about potential duplication of regulations and the added burden on farmers. While the court's decision is unlikely to affect farmers immediately, as the matter has been referred back to the Environment Court, the probable outcome is that farmers will need to obtain resource consents for incidental diffuse discharges.  Bernadette Hunt, spokesperson for Southland Federated Farmers, warned of the potential chaos if 3,000 local farmers simultaneously apply for consents. She described it as an "expensive and bureaucratic box-ticking exercise" that would add cost and complexity without environmental gain. Hunt also criticised the evolution of the Resource Management Act, arguing it has strayed from its original enabling purpose to become overly complex and restrictive. On the other hand, Jacob Smyth from Southland Fish & Game defended the court's decision. He pointed to evidence of significant water body degradation at a regional scale, primarily driven by diffuse discharges from farming activities. Smyth argued that the council failed to provide evidence of the effectiveness of farm plans in managing high-loss activities like intensive winter grazing. This ruling comes at a challenging time for Southland farmers, many of whom are already grappling with high rainfall, flooding, and related disruptions and costs.  Clutha farmers face long-term challenges as floodwaters linger Clutha District farmers are grappling with ongoing flooding, raising alarm about long-term agricultural viability. Many operations remain underwater, compelling farmers to manage immediate concerns while anticipating future harvest difficulties. At Telford rural education institute, floodwaters cover a third of the farmland, including vital milking areas. Dairy farm manager Kelvin Gerken emphasises the race against time to drain the land efficiently. The dairy industry faces added urgency with mating season mere weeks away. Gerken warns that mismanaging this critical period could impact not only current but also next year's production. The financial impact could be extensive, with potential damage reach into the  hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some affected areas might remain inactive for up to three months, accounting for drainage, drying, and reseeding time. Local farmer Mark Sheppard has been orchestrating emergency measures, arranging alternative milking locations in North Otago for displaced herds. He notes the region, including Southland, was already contending with limited grazing land before the floods hit. Sheppard acknowledges the emotional toll, noting the visible strain on fellow farmers as they confront the damage. The Otago Regional Council has intervened to mitigate flooding, cutting into the Puerua River floodbank to hasten drainage, while additional culverts are being installed to avoid similar issues in the future. Positive start to Spring for fruit growers New Zealand's fruit and grape growers are experiencing an encouraging start to the spring season, according to Metris, the country's leading horticulture and viticulture weather forecasting service. Dr. Mark Bart, Metris chief executive and forecaster, reports that key growing regions nationwide are benefiting from a combination of favourable conditions. The season began with adequate winter chilling, followed by alternating mild weather and rain-bearing fronts, creating an ideal environment for fruit development. Bart says that the mild spring onset has arrived in waves, influenced by record heat in Australia. Westerly winds, squeezed between competing weather systems, have been pushing this warmth towards New Zealand,  bringing frequent westerlies interspersed with brief, intense southerlies and frosts, as observed throughout September. The mix of winter chilling and mild conditions has accelerated plant growth by 10 to 12 days compared to typical years, with apple growth significantly ahead of last season's pace. While colder southerly fronts have resulted in more intense frosts than in recent years, Bart notes that these are accompanied by clear, warm days. This combination allows growers to access orchards and vineyards, aiding in clearing and managing disease pressure – a critical factor for the upcoming season. The favourable start to the season extends beyond apples. Other fruit crops and grapevines are also showing promising signs of development. Bart emphasises that the good winter chilling is likely to have reduced disease prevalence and sets the stage for robust fruit growth. Red meat industry's finest gather for prestigious awards night The cream of New Zealand's red meat industry converges tonight at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton for the 2024 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards.  Eight outstanding finalists have emerged from a rigorous judging process, reflecting the sector's innovation, technological advancements, and world-leading farming practices. Rowena Hume, Beef + Lamb New Zealand's general manager of Insights and Communication, says the judging team, consisting of farmers and industry experts, faced a challenging task due to the exceptional quality of entries across all eight categories. The event not only celebrates individual achievements but also underscores the resilience and adaptability of New Zealand's sheep, beef, and dairy beef sectors. These awards provide a crucial platform for sharing industry achievements with a wider audience, highlighting the contributions of farmers, scientists, innovators, advocates, and community leaderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.