Winter is coming, so get your farm prepared

Stuart Abercrombie by one of his two effluent storage ponds that provide up to eight months of liquid capacity. Photo / DairyNZ

Waipu Dairy Farmer Stuart Abercrombie knows the importance of preparing his farm for winter.

With plans to empty his effluent ponds and use the nutrients across the farm, his example is one his Northland colleagues are being encouraged to follow as DairyNZ, the Northland Regional Council and Fonterra look to raise awareness of the benefits of reducing effluent pond levels before winter arrives.

With no consent to discharge to the stream that runs through his 150ha farm, Mr Abercrombie operates a totally contained farm dairy effluent (FDE) system for his 360 cows.

It's a system he has upgraded several times, an example of the investment farmers have made in their FDE infrastructure and management, which has contributed to improving water quality in many Northland waterways.

To make sure that trend continues farmers are being advised now is the time to winter-proof their effluent storage systems by lowering pond levels and diverting stormwater to avoid filling ponds again.

"A full pond has no storage and therefore your exposure to breaches is much greater," Dairy NZ catchment engagement leader Helen Moodie advises farmers.

"You have made the investment in your ponds, so put in the time to manage your system now. Reduce those pond levels so you have storage room in winter and spring when rainfall is greater and soils are saturated."

The regional council is also keen to see levels of effluent system compliance continue their improvements.

Last year overall compliance rates were 87 per cent and the council says this can improve further if all farmers empty their ponds before winter.

This is a key part of Mr Abercrombie's effluent management plan. "I find there are plenty of suitable days and paddocks to put on light rates of effluent liquid during the summer and autumn, before the load really comes on the FDE system in winter," he says.

All farmers are encouraged to have a plan for empty storage ponds that estimates the pumping times and days required.

"It could take a month to reduce an average-sized pond by pumping four hours a day - every day," Ms Moodie said.