Farm Environment Plan

Transcription

1 Farm Environment Plan Version No Date Prepared / Updated Property name Physical address Property Owner This Farm Environment Plan sets out the management practices that will be implemented to actively manage environmental issues on the property, with a focus on managing water quality within the limits specified by Otago Regional Council. The Plan will be audited regularly by an independent auditor in accordance with the audit, compliance and enforcement procedures set out in NOIC s Environmental Management Strategy. Postal address address Contact person for owner (if different) Postal address Postcode Postcode Phone no. Mobile no. Phone no. Mobile no. Is whole property leased? Yes /No If yes, provide details: Name of lessee: Postal address address Postcode Phone no. Mobile no. Farm Manager name (if different to owner) Postal address Position (manager, sharemilker etc) Phone no. Postcode Mobile no. address Responsibility for Implementing the Farm Plan As the person responsible for implementing this plan, I confirm that the information provided is correct: Name (Plan implementer) Signature Position (e.g. owner/manager) Date 1 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

2 Owner and lessee commitment As owner/s of this farming business I/we are committed to ensuring that all activities on this property are undertaken in an environmentally sustainable manner with cultural values considered and cultural outcomes delivered. We agree to monitor our performance in meeting the management objectives and outcomes in this Plan, and take appropriate actions to address any areas where improvement is needed. Name (Owner or representative) Signature Date Name (Lessee or representative Signature Date Information Access Permissions Nutrient Budget: As owner/s of this farming business I/we agree to NOIC obtaining and holding an electronic version of our most recent Overseer nutrient budget file from our nominated fertiliser company. Nutrient budget prepared by Company Milk Supply Company GIS Data: As owner/s of this farming business I/we agree to NOIC obtaining and using GIS data files developed/collected by our milk supply company for this property. Fonterra / Oceania Supply No. Otago Regional Council Dairy Compliance Inspections: As owner/s of this farming business I/we agree to NOIC obtaining Otago Regional Council Dairy Compliance Inspection sheets for this property. Name (Owner or representative) Signature Date Additional Information Farm Plan Areas Irrigation Type / Area (water) Collected Effluent Irrigation Collected Effluent Storage Total area covered by plan (ha) Irrigation Type NOIC water Other water Effluent irrigation type Area effluent Effluent Storage Tick irrigated area (ha) irrigated area (ha) applied (ha) Effective area (ha) Pivot Pivot Less 5 days K-line K-line / pod 5 15 days Enterprise Type Tick Gun Travelling Irrigator days 2 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

3 Dairy Long lateral Other 2 months Dairy Support Solid set 3 months Sheep/Beef Other Mixed Cropping Lifestyle Total irrigated area (ha) Total effluent area (ha) Other Supporting Information Required Farm Map/s Where applicable, show on map: Blocks used in the nutrient budget Irrigated area by irrigation type Effluent area Bores/wells Conservation or covenanted areas/ indigenous bush/scrub Streams and wetlands, including stock crossing points - Show which streams are fenced Standoff areas, feed pads Tracks Open drains Areas that are tile drained Critical Nutrient Source Areas Risk areas for irrigation run-off Risk areas for compaction and erosion Water sampling points Lease blocks including owner name Water Quality Results Nutrient Budget Otago Regional Council Dairy Shed Inspection Sheet/s Tick 3 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

4 Irrigation System Design and Installation Management Objective: To ensure that all new irrigation systems and significant upgrades meet industry best practice standards Outcome 1: New irrigation infrastructure is designed and installed to deliver water to industry best practice standards. Basic May be adequate for small blocks and/or low intensity operations for dairy operations System designed with site specific knowledge of the soil, topography and crop needs. Post installation checks of application rate and distribution uniformity using DIY evaluation or certified evaluator. All new irrigation systems installed or replaced after 1 January 2015 meet the INZ Piped Irrigation System Design, and Installation COPs & s. Commissioning tests show that system performs to desired specifications for: System capacity Application depth Application intensity Application Uniformity Return interval Operation and maintenance manuals obtained. Slopes over 20 are considered to be high risk for run-off and must not be irrigated without prior approval from NOIC. Approvals will be based on an evaluation of the proposed design and management to address run-off risk. If the irrigation system is used to distribute effluent, fertiliser or any other added contaminant or chemical, a backflow preventer must be installed and tested in accordance with the New Zealand Guideline for the Safe Management of Irrigation Systems with Effluent, Fertiliser and/or Agrichemical Injection. Additional Comments: Application depth, rate and uniformity are appropriate for soil type, slope, etc. Certificate or producer statement from INZ accredited designer or from a suitably qualified independent reviewer. Commissioning report Manuals available Slope risk map NOIC written approval Certification by installer 4 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

5 Irrigation Management Management Objective: To operate irrigation systems efficiently, ensuring all water applications are justified Outcome 1: All irrigation applications are justified by monitoring or other information Basic May be adequate for small blocks or low intensity operations for dairy operations Total depth of irrigation water applied in one rotation not to exceed amount required to restore soil moisture to field capacity. Irrigation applications based on soil moisture status. Use a simple method to monitor soil moisture (e.g. holes / fence standard). Rainfall records kept and rainfall forecasts monitored and used in decision making. Records of irrigation applications kept. Total depth of irrigation water applied in one rotation not to exceed amount required to restore soil moisture to field capacity. Irrigation applications based on soil moisture status, monitored using an objective soil moisture monitoring tool (e.g. aquaflex, hand-held probe, neutron probe). Rainfall records kept and rainfall forecasts monitored and used in decision making. Irrigation application records Soil moisture records NOIC water use efficiency data Rainfall records Soil temperature records Staff questioning of irrigation scheduling practices, including field capacity and refill points System parameters, including appropriate application depths Soil temperature monitored and recorded at start of season and used in decision making. Records of monitoring and irrigation applications kept to demonstrate how soil moisture levels are managed between field capacity and refill point. Outcome 3: Farm practices optimise water applications from irrigation system for dairy operations Consider the differences in water requirements due to aspect and slope, and manage irrigation accordingly. Check for excessive runoff or ponding. Adjust or shut off system to rectify and incident records kept. Application to non-productive areas (e.g. tracks, impermeable surfaces, drains) is minimised. Daily checks for blocked nozzles, damaged hydrants, split hoses, etc. Any problems fixed and incident records kept. Staff questioning of irrigation operations Irrigation incident records 5 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

6 Check application depth and uniformity at least once annually and keep records. Spray line shifts made to suitable plan (e.g. GPS on bike). Bucket test worksheet Premium Best practice Avoid leakages from on-farm irrigation pipes and structures and take action to rectify the problem if leaks identified. System evaluation by certified evaluator at least 6 yearly, and programme to remedy problems implemented. Variable rate irrigation together with soil EM mapping and soil moisture monitoring used to maximise water use efficiency. Outcome 4: All staff involved in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system are suitably trained Additional Comments: Staff with irrigation management duties are well trained with respect to their responsibilities. At least 1 staff member attended NOIC Irrigation Manager Training or INZ Irrigation System Operator Training. System evaluation report and workplan Staff questioning of irrigation operations Training records 6 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

7 Nutrient Management Management Objective: To maximise nutrient use efficiency while minimising nutrient losses to water. Outcome 1: All sources and potential losses of nutrients, sediment and effluent are clearly identified An annual nutrient budget based on soil tests to be prepared in accordance with Overseer Best Practice Data s. Nitrogen leaching rate within limit set for property by Otago Regional Council: 20kg N/ha/yr in Kakanui Nitrogen Sensitive Zone 30kg N/ha/yr in rest of command area Critical Source Areas for P and sediment loss are marked on farm map and plan to reduce losses implemented. Nutrient budget prepared by qualified person Soil test results Farm map showing critical source areas Outcome 2: Farm practices minimise nutrient losses from farming activities Fertiliser is applied to Spreadmark standards or with suitably calibrated equipment. Nutrient budget and Critical Source Area map used as key on-farm management tools. Actual fertiliser application rates are consistent with those derived through nutrient budget. Use several small applications of fertiliser during the growing season: Pasture - apply a maximum of 50 kg N/ha and 100kg P/ha in any one dressing Cropping - apply a maximum of 80kg N/ha in any one dressing Pasture is at least 25mm high (approx 1000kg DM/Ha) before nitrogen is applied. Spreadmark accreditation certificate Evidence that nutrient budget and CSA map integrated into day to day decision making processes Fertiliser application records Premium Best practice Nitrogen is not applied when the 10cm soil temperature at 9am is less than 6 degrees Celsius. Fertiliser is not applied when soils are at field capacity or to severely compacted soils. GPS technology used for precise application of all fertiliser spread. Soil moisture monitoring and soil temperature records Proof of placement maps 7 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

8 Outcome 3: Nutrient and sediment losses from winter grazing of forage crops is minimised Mitigation measures are used to control nutrient and sediment run-off from winter grazing, such as: Paddock selected for suitability for winter grazing (considering slope, watercourses, leaching risk, etc); Riparian buffers at least 10m from the edge of any watercourse are maintained; Straw bales placed in low spots to filter any runoff to watercourses; Strip next to riparian margin grazed last when break feeding; Stock grazed off and on fodder block; and Maize crops grown following fodder crops to utilise excess nutrients. Outcome 4: All on-farm silage, offal pit and rubbish dump discharges are appropriately managed Risks of leachate or run-off from silage pits/stacks identified and managed. Offal pits located in areas where there is no risk of contamination of groundwater. Farm rubbish dumps located in an area where there is no risk of contamination of groundwater. Additional Comments: Record of wintering practices Staff questioning of wintering practices 8 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

9 Soil Management Management Objective: To maintain or improve the physical & biological condition of soils in order to minimise the movement of sediment, phosphorus and other contaminants to waterways. Outcome 1: Erosion caused through land use activities is minimised Direct drilling and/or minimum tillage cultivation techniques used where there is a high risk of erosion or sediment run-off. Check regularly that erosion resulting from irrigation (e.g. under runners, wheel rut channeling) is not occurring and take remedial action if found. Any other eroding areas on the property, including stream banks, identified and appropriate management applied. Evidence of technology use Farm Map Outcome 2: Soils are well-managed to optimise infiltration and minimise runoff Additional Comments: Check for soil compaction annually (late spring ideal) and if necessary use aerator/subsoiler or alternative method to alleviate the problem. Recognise soil compaction risks and take management steps to minimise soil compaction damage, such as: Using designated safe areas or on/off areas for cattle grazing; Shifting cattle regularly or breaking up mobs to avoid excessive pugging; Limiting the passage of heavy machinery; Using a feedpad or stand-off area; and Designating a sacrifice paddock (avoid paddocks where runoff will enter waterways). Where significant soil compaction has been identified; reduce irrigation, effluent and fertiliser application accordingly. Compaction inspection records / VSA records Soil aeration records Staff questioning Irrigation, effluent and fertiliser application records 9 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

10 Dairy Effluent Management 1 Management Objective: To manage the operation of the effluent system to avoid adverse effects on water quality Outcome 1: Effluent system and application fully compliant for dairy operations Effluent system and application fully compliant with Otago Regional Council Prohibited and Permitted Activity Rules. Outcome 2: Effluent correctly applied to avoid contamination of surface or ground water for dairy operations Effluent irrigation system is capable of delivering the correct amount of effluent for soil type and slope. An effluent application map and record of all effluent applications and any incidents are kept. Effluent application is based on soil moisture status and effluent is not applied to saturated soils. Sufficient storage capacity is available to ensure that effluent does not need to be applied when soil conditions are near field capacity. Pond level should be low going into the shoulder seasons. Effluent system is set up to ensure that no effluent is spread: over any drain or water race; within 50m of any watercourse, bore or soakhole; within 20m of a formed public road; within 150m from any residential dwelling on a neighbouring property or a building used for employment purposes on a neighbouring property; and within 150m from any public amenity area or place of public assembly. Effluent applied at depths/rates that do not lead to ponding or runoff. Check effluent application depth and uniformity at least once annually and keep records. All potential effluent system risks identified and management plan in place to manage risks. An area of at least 8ha/100 cows is used for effluent spreading. Otago Regional Council compliance reports System specifications Effluent application map and records Records showing soil moisture monitoring is an integral part of effluent management. Visual observation Check features on effluent application map Bucket test worksheet View management plan, exclusion zones shown on map, etc. Calculation 1 This section of this FEP may be covered by an approved audited Dairy Supplier plan or similar e.g. from Fonterra. 10 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

11 Premium Best Practice Additional Comments: Take immediate action if an incident or breakdowns occurs including: rectify the problem; clean up if possible; and take action to minimise the risk of the incident / breakage occurring again. Staff who are involved in the management of the effluent system are fully trained in the use of the system. Proof of placement technology used to identify areas of effluent application. Fail safe systems such as Gator-buddy and variable rate irrigation to minimise risk of incidents, and prevent application of effluent to high risk areas. All collection, storage and treatment systems for effluent installed or replaced after 1 January 2015 meet the Dairy NZ Farm Dairy Effluent Design and Code of Practice (2013). Incident records Staff training schedule Proof of placement printouts Visual observation Certificate or producer statement from designer. 11 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

12 Waterway and Riparian Management Management Objective: To manage waterways, wetlands and their margins to avoid stock damage and minimise inputs of nutrients, sediment and faecal contamination Outcome 1: Discharges comply with Otago Regional Council Permitted Activity Rules s Implement a water quality monitoring programme to determine if discharges directly to watercourses, or from drains to watercourses, comply with Otago Regional Council s Schedule 16 discharge thresholds, as specified below: Nitrite-Nitrate Nitrogen (NNN) 1 mg/l Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH4+) 0.2 mg/l Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) mg/l Escherichia coli (E. Coli) 550 cfu The discharge thresholds are measured where the discharge or drain leaves the property, or enters a watercourse. Note that the discharge thresholds only apply when the Kakanui River flow is below 1.29 cumecs at Clifton Falls see flow website: Where water quality sampling identifies that the discharge thresholds have been exceeded, a plan to reduce contaminant losses has been implemented. Outcome 2: Stock damage to waterways and wetlands is minimised Basic May be acceptable for some situations s all operations Grazed only with sheep. Cattle and deer excluded from all watercourses and wetlands. All stock crossings have a bridge or culvert. Ensure effluent from the crossing cannot enter the watercourse. During wet periods use electric fencing to temporarily exclude stock from wet areas of paddocks, where there is a risk that contaminated water could enter a watercourse. Sampling points identified and marked on farm map Water quality monitoring programme discussed Water quality testing results Plan discussed Staff questioning 12 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014

13 Outcome 3: Farm practices minimise soil, nutrient and faecal contamination of waterways s Good Maintain a vegetated riparian buffer strip around all watercourses and wetlands. Buffer strips to be of sufficient width to adequately filter any run-off - at least 2m from the edge of the watercourse on flat land and up to 10m on sloping land. Note that where winter grazing of forage crops will occur, riparian buffers must be at least 10m in width. Runoff from stock races, tracks and crossings is intercepted and filtered through riparian buffer prior to discharge. Wide riparian buffer strips and some riparian planting undertaken. Premium Best practice Wide riparian buffer strips. Comprehensive riparian planting programme comprising a mix of appropriate native species prepared and implemented. Additional Comments: 13 NOIC Farm Plan Template - November 2014