1. Sustainable Production in Agriculture & Horticulture Ian Brown- Otago Regional Council 30th September 2003

4. Sustainable Production What is it?

5. 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

6. The 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.

7. The 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.

8. IVE GOT CUSTOMARY RIGHTS MATE… MOLD GREAT GRANDAD STARTED DUMPING STUFF HERE IN 1862 Jocks view on the environment

9. The 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 1980s, Lake Tutira

10. Water is a limited resource in some areas. Aspirations Beliefs Motivation

11. Is sustainability an issue?

12. 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

13. Is sustainability an issue? To farmers: Our children will hate us if we dont 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

14. 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 worlds worst records for biodiversity loss (Draft Biodiversity strategy, 1999)

15. for a healthy life naturally 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)

16. OOOOH BUGGAR…. DYA MEAN THEYR COMING INSIDE THGATE?! Customers ARE coming in the gate. OOOOH BUGGAR…. DYA MEAN THEYR COMING INSIDE THGATE?! Customers ARE coming in the gate.

17. Is sustainability an issue? To the average New Zealander: ….. ? …. ?

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Yes, there are Sustainability issues But its not just effluent thats the problem. Dairy effluent disposal & tile drains are a real concern.

21. Yes, there are Sustainability issues There are strong links between soils management & water quality Land management can change soil health dramatically

22. Yes, there are Sustainability issues Many areas in New Zealand are subject to erosion in one form or another.

24. 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

25. The Express June 10, 1999 The use of pesticides, antibiotics and synthetic chemicals ….. ….. cause of the increase in food related illness

26. Yes, there are Sustainability issues In many areas water is a limited resource

27. Yes, there are Sustainability issues The high country –spread of hieracium –loss of tussock communities –weed spread

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

29. Yes, there are Sustainability issues What is the price of development?

30. The good news!! What is the price of development?

31. The good news is!!! Its not all bad news, some good things are happening!

32. Market Gardening Cover crops Improving soil structure & reducing nitrate loss 1996 cover crop demo <20% using cover crops 1999 - 60%+ using cover crops

33. Cropping Direct drilling Reducing the risk of wind & rill erosion & improving soil structure 1994 - 66% conventional cultivation 1999 - 66% Direct drilling or Minimum tillage

34. Riparian 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

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

36. Wetland enhancements Many wetlands are now being protected and secured under some form of covenant

37. Tussock 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;

38. Industry guidelines and quality control programmes Dairy industry –Dairy accord –Market Focused Deer industry –Quality assurance scheme –Best practice guidelines Horticulture industry –Integrated fruit production –Viticulture - ISO 14001 accreditation

39. Programmes

40. Farm planning Identifying the risks Developing a management plan Monitoring & review

41. Catchment programmes Lake Taupo & Rotorua Lakes Similar programmes in other regions Taieri Trust programme Seven ORC sponsored catchment programmes in Otago

42. Washpool example 12345678 BOD2842182561 E Coli18098001500480069002290045075 NNN0.3360.3290.2140.280.1940.0390.050.026 Ammonia N0.080.980.240.136.123.60.090.04 DRP0.2450.110.140.1690.2150.8510.1110.022 Turbidity 8.44118142538243.7 DO5.433.46.10.64.73.55.5 Conductivity0.2850.2940.30.2490.580.4450.2450.272 Temperature1615.515.516.216.217.316.714.7 Samples taken February 12th 2003

43. Planting programmes Plantings for erosion control, wind erosion and biodiversity

44. Field days & discussion groups Dairy discussion groups Drought species Farm forestry Soils Tussock grasslands mgt. Irrigation efficiency

45. Resource information

46. Guidelines There is a wealth of information available on most issues

47. Then of course there are the rules! There are rules that cover most farming or horticulture activities that may adversely impact the environment. Sometimes a prosecution is required

48. OOOOH BUGGAR…. DYA MEAN THEYR COMING INSIDE THGATE?! ITS BEEN A SOD OF A MORNING REALLY… FAILED A SPOT CHECK ON THE SHED, STUFFED UP THE COUNTRYS EXPORTS TO EUROPE, AN FOR SOME REASON SEEM TO HAVE PISSED OFF THE NEIGHBOURS!

49. Sustainability is not business as usual with a few concession but a completely new road. International conference on sustainable land management - Napier 1991 Sustainable Production in Agriculture & Horticulture