Farm Environment Plan

Farm Details: Riverslea

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 1 (a-c)

Contacts

Farm Owner

Des Conlan
027 699 0468
des.conlan@farmside.co.nz

Description:

950 Earthquakes Rd, Duntroon

SEC 102A BLK VI MAEREWHENUA SD LOT 1-4 DP 385361

Total property area: 268.48ha

Effective area: 204.6ha

Dairy 36153

1,000 cows

Irrigation Area: 200ha of K Line.

Farm Map

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 2

Consents

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 3

Irrigation

CRC050611.1 Dam Surface Water,

CRC163171 Take Surface Water,Use Surface Water,

CRC992097.3 Discharge Water into Water,

CRC021504.1 Take Surface Water,Use Surface Water,

Effluent

CRC093747 To discharge contaminants onto land and into air.

Farm Risk Assessment

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 4A: An assessment of the adverse environmental effects and risks associated with the farming activities and how the identified effects and risks will be managed, including irrigation, application of nutrients, effluent application, stock exclusion from waterways, offal pits and farm rubbish pits.

The farm consists of an irrigated dairy unit with effluent application.
The topography is predominantly rolling with river flats and the land management units reflect the topography.
The property is in the Maerewhenua so experiences hot summers, strong westerlies on occasion, and cold winters.
Irrigation of fresh water and effluent is via K Line with the balance as dry land. A travelling irrigator is used as backup for effluent.
Management detailed in this FEP is aimed at avoiding over watering, run off and ponding of both effluent and irrigation.
Effluent is spread on the flat to reduce risk of run off to the adjacent river. No effluent is spread on the hill.
Stock are excluded from waterways.
Direct drilling is used where possible.
There is a large riparian margin between the Maerewhenua and the paddocks.
Culverts are in place where drains or waterways are crossed.
Clean fill and offal holes are located on high and dry locations.

Soils and Nutrients

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 4B, 5A and 6
Objectives:(1) Use nutrients efficiently and minimise nutrient losses to water.(1) Nitrogen losses from farming activities are at or below the:(a) Baseline GMP Loss Rate or Good Management Practice Loss Rate (whichever is thelesser); or
Targets:(b) consented nitrogen loss limits.(2) Available nitrogen loss mitigation measures (excluding those associated with irrigation,fertiliser or effluent management) are implemented.(3) Phosphorus and sediment losses from farming activities are minimised.(4) Manage the amount, timing and application of fertiliser inputs to match the predicted plantrequirements and minimise nutrient losses(5) Store and load fertiliser to minimise the risk of spillage, leaching and loss into water bodies.

Riverslea is managed to minimise the amount of nutrient that escapes the farm and becomes a pollutant, and to maximise the nutrient that stays within the root zone of the plants as a resource. Infiltration rate is optimised to minimise runoff.

Crop records.

Critical Source Areas are managed by only grazing when dry, using a 5m buffer if wet, and monitoring for run off.

The aim is to maintain good soil structure by using the relevant cultivation practices for the given situation and minimise the period of soil exposure to wind and rain erosion.

Heavy vehicles are kept off paddocks after rainfall.

Nitrogen application is managed based on pasture requirements, soil moisture conditions as well as soil temperature
Nitrogen is applied when soil temperature (>8 degrees) and soil moisture are best suited to maximum plant growth
Nitrogen applications are kept below 190kg.
P applications don't exceed 100kg P/ha and not spread in Jun or July. Waterways are avoided and run off points are monitored.
Olsen P maintained at optimum levels for plant growth
Critical source areas are clearly marked.
Non-target areas are avoided.
All fertiliser brought onto farm is spread straight away as required
No solid fertiliser is stored on farm
Minimum tillage cultivation is used where soil conditions allow, and if full cultivation is necessary slopes are worked across where safe to do so. Steep areas are avoided where possible and weather forecasts are considered when deciding on cultivation timing. Care is taken not to work soil into fine aggregate sizes and a 5m buffer is maintained to waterways. There is minimal delay between cultivation and sowing to minimise the time that soil is exposed.
Waterways are protected by fencing, vegetative strips and stock crossings.
Pugging prevention is achieved by giving larger breaks in wet conditions and stock are allowed to leave longer residuals. Young grass is grazed only briefly and in dry conditions only to minimise damage to the softer soil.
Soil Type: S-Map
The Flat K Line LMU is Otiake Deep Silty Loam (Otia_6a.1) which has moderate drainage and a high Readily Available Water (RAW) of 34mm to pasture rooting depth.
The Hill K Line LMU is Ngapara deep fine sandy loam (Ngap_1a.2) and is well drained with a high RAW of 27mm to pasture rooting depth.
Fertiliser is spread by contractors with Spreadmark certification and GPS proof of placement.
Agronomist recommendations support decision making.
Five or six paddocks are soil tested annually.
Paddocks that need improvement are re-grassed as required.
Maximum cow numbers are set in the discharge consent (1000) and this is adhered to.

Irrigation Management Plan

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5B
Objective:The amount and timing of irrigation is managed to meet plant demands, minimise risk of leachingand runoff and ensure efficient water use.Targets:(1) New irrigation systems are designed and installed in accordance with industry codes ofpractice and standards.(2) The performance of irrigation systems is assessed annually and irrigation systems aremaintained and operated to apply irrigation water at their optimal efficiency.(3) The timing and depth of irrigation water applied takes account of crop requirements and isjustified through soil moisture monitoring or soil water budgets and climatic information.(4) Staff are trained in the operation, maintenance and use of irrigation systems.

Irrigation Design

Irrigation is by means of K Line and avoids the application of water onto non-productive land such as impermeable surfaces and river or stream riparian strips.

There is no new irrigation on farm but fixed grid is under consideration and will be designed according to best practice.

Irrigation Scheduling

The volume of water used for irrigation does not exceed that required for the soil to reach field capacity. A soil moisture probe is used to measure soil moisture before irrigation is started, or restarted after rain, to ensure soil moisture deficit can accommodate the irrigation application from each irrigation type as determined by bucket testing.

Otiake Deep Silty Loam (Otia_6a.1) which has moderate drainage and a high Readily Available Water (RAW) of 34mm to pasture rooting depth.
Ngapara deep fine sandy loam (Ngap_1a.2) and is well drained with a high RAW of 27mm to pasture rooting depth.
K Lines apply water at a rate within the capabilities of these soils. Irrigation applications are managed only by the manager and are recorded in a hard copy diary while rainfall records have been kept electronically.

Water flow is monitored to ensure consent conditions are not exceeded.

Irrigation Water Optimisation

Irrigation training:

Flow rates are electronically monitored to comply with resource consent conditions.

K Lines are shifted twice a day.

Bucket Tests are carried out to assess performance of each pivot with the assistance of Thelning Systems.

Operating Procedures

Check forecast and consider previous rainfall.
Measure soil moisture for irrigation trigger.
Check soil temperature when considering irrigation in August and in May.
If above conditions allow then start irrigator.
Record irrigation in book.
Check for leaks or other failures.

Incident Procedure

Irrigation is monitored between 8am and 5pm daily. CSA's are monitored for run off in passing.

When a leak, run off or ponding is discovered shut water off to leaking line.

Repair, pressure test and continue to monitor before backfilling.

Record in maintenance book.

Maintenance

Preseason checks are undertaken.

Light maintenance is carried out by farm owner and recorded in a maintenance book.

Heavier maintenance is undertaken by an irrigation company.

End of season checks include draining lines and moving lines to the edge of the paddocks.

Cultivation and Soil Structure

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5C
Objective: The physical and biological condition of soils is maintained or improved in order to minimise the movement of sediment, phosphorus and other contaminants to waterways. Targets: (1) Farming activities are managed so as to not exacerbate erosion. (2) Farming practices are implemented that optimise infiltration of water into the soil profile and minimise run-off of water, sediment loss and erosion.

Winter grazing plan.

Crop records.

Contractors are used for ag work. Minimum tillage or direct drilling is used where possible and full cultivation is only used to renovate paddocks when plugged or compacted. Riverslea has a policy of direct drilling where practicable, and where the paddocks do require some cultivation, minimal till is undertaken. In extreme cases where paddocks have become rutted or pugged, ripping at the least depth to remedy this is used.

Care is taken to meet the paddock conditions, with no cultivation being done when the soil moisture level is very dry, and also no machinery is on the paddocks when the soil moisture is high or after heavy rain.

The steeper paddocks on the property have been fenced to minimise any potential erosion issues. These paddocks can be kept out of a rotation when there may be a risk such as heavy rain, or if not irrigated, during dry periods.

The property has several wet weather holding paddocks if required.

Effluent

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5E

Objective:
Animal effluent and solid animal waste is managed to minimise nutrient leaching and run-off.
Targets:
(1) Effluent systems meet industry Codes of Practice or an equivalent standard.
(2) The timing and rate of application of effluent and solid animal waste to land is managed so as to minimise the risk of contamination of groundwater or surface water bodies.
(3) Sufficient and suitable storage is available to enable animal effluent and wash-down water to be stored when soil conditions are unsuitable for application.
(4) Staff are trained in the operation, maintenance and use of effluent storage and application systems

All dairy and yard effluent for up to 1,000 cows is collected in a sealed holding pond and spread to 57ha on the Flat K Line LMU through a dedicated mainline and k-line, with back up travelling irrigator.
Application depth does not exceed 15mm per application and effluent is not spread:
- Beyond the property boundary including by means of run off.
- Within 50m of any bore.
- Within 20m of a public road.
- Within 150m of residential dwellings.
- Within 20m of rivers, streams or drains and must never enter water.
- On frozen or snow covered ground.
- In such a way that ponding may cause effluent to enter ground water.
- In a way that odour leaves the property.
Effluent is actively monitored and shut down immediately when any fault is detected.
Any one location must not receive more than 200kgN/ha per year, and no more than 100kgN/ha per three month period.
Bucket testing is undertaken to verify application depths.
There must be no discharge to water.

Refer to:

Operating procedures.

Maintenance Procedures

Incident Procedures

Effluent Storage

Storage facilities have been sealed to prevent leaking.
Sufficient storage capacity is available to ensure that effluent does not need to be applied when soil conditions are near field capacity.
Effluent storage is managed to ensure effluent is only stored when required and level kept as low as practical, maximising storage availability.

Training

Staff are trained to their level of responsibility for effluent operation and maintenance
Training records are kept in the dairy diary

Waterway and CSA Management

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5E
Objective: Wetlands, riparian areas, springs and the margins of surface waterbodies are managed to avoid damage to the bed and margins of the water body, and to avoid the direct input of nutrients, sediment, and microbial pathogens. Targets: (1) Stock are excluded from waterbodies in accordance with regional council rules or any granted resource consent. (2) Vegetated riparian margins of sufficient width are maintained to minimise nutrient, sediment and microbial pathogen losses to waterbodies. (3) Farm tracks, gateways, water troughs, self-feeding areas, stock camps, wallows and other farming activities that are potential sources of sediment, nutrients and microbial loss are located so as to minimise the risks to surface water quality. (4) Mahinga kai values are protected as a result of measures taken to protect and enhance water quality and stream health.

Riparian planting exists as an extensive buffer between the paddocks and the Maerewhenua.
All waterways are fenced and irrigation race bridged.
Stock are temporarily fenced from CSA's in wet conditions.
Tracks, troughs and gateways are maintained to minimise their loss of nutrients and sediment. Water tables are maintained to reduce erosion risk.

Point Source Management

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5E
Objective: The number and location of pits are managed to minimise risks to health and water quality. Target: (1) All on-farm silage, offal pit and rubbish dump discharges are managed to avoid direct discharges of contaminants to groundwater or surface water.

Pit silage is located near the shed where it can be monitored for any discharge. The CSA's near the silage pit drain to the former artificial dam and would be contained on farm in the even of a discharge from the silage pits.

Offal: The pit is 50m3 or smaller and is designed to prevent surface runoff from entering the pit, dead stock are to be buried in a timely way and are not left in sight of the road. In accordance with regional council requirements, dead stock are buried:

more than 100m from any surface water body or bore used for water abstraction.
more than 100m from the closest property boundary

Waste and by product: only steel and concrete is disposed of by burying on farm.

Household rubbish is disposed of by wheelie bin, or dropping to a transfer station.
Plastics and other chemical products are not burned. AgRecovery collects triple rinsed drums.
Greenwaste, cardboard, and other non-chemical product are burned in accordance with fire season requirements.
Bale wrap, and chemical containers are recycled. Only a minimum of chemical is used to reduce the amount of toxins stored on farm.
Soil, fill and stones used elsewhere for development.

Water Use (Excluding Irrigation Water)

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5G
Objective: To use water efficiently ensuring that actual use of water is monitored and efficient. Target: (1) Actual water use is efficient for the end use.

Stock Water

Stock water leaks are fixed as they are discovered.
Household potable water supply and Dairy Shed Plant wash water all comes from the Tokarahi Rural Water Scheme. Stock Water and Dairy Shed wash water comes from a water gallery and pump located along Earthquakes road between address’s 880 and 950 Earthquakes Road.
Staff are shown where water supply is and how to turn it on and off

Mahinga Kai Instream Biodiversity

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 9
Objective: To protect mahinga kai values. Target: Mahinga kai values ofsurface waterbodies on the property are recognised by achieving other objectives and targets in the Farm Environment Plan, and in addition by: (a) maintaining existing indigenous vegetation in accordance with relevant regional council and district council vegetation clearance rules or any granted resource consent; (b) identifying opportunities to undertake additional plantings of indigenous vegetation, and carrying out and managing any additional plantings in accordance with regional council guidelines for riparian planting; (c) undertaking farming activities in a manner that minimises adverse effects on existing indigenous vegetation and on any additional plantings of indigenous riparian vegetation; and (d) managing pest plants in accordance with regional council rules.

No rock art or other cultural site exists on Riverslea.

Any indigenous vegetation removal is in accordance with the district plan. No indigenous vegetation is on farm and none is planned.No springs, wetlands and/or spring fed streams on this property

Some of the terrestrial biodiversity known to inhabit Riverslea:

- Fan Tails
- Wax Eyes
- Herons
- Bell Bird
- Little Owl
- Pied Stilt
- Pied Oyster Catcher
- Plovers

Pests are managed:

By shooting rabbits, hares, possums, wild cats, pigeons and ducks.
Rats and mice are poisoned.
Insecticide use is avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Instream Biodiversity

Objective: To protect and enhance in-stream biodiversity values. Targets: (1) On the map or aerial photograph of waterbodies required under Part A of this Schedule, specify the location of any spring heads, wetlands and spring-fed streams on the property or within the farming enterprise to recognise their high instream biodiversity values. (2) Prioritise achievement of the targets for Management Area: Waterbody Management for any spring heads, wetlands and spring-fed streams so as to protect and enhance the instream biodiversity values.

At the south end of the property there is spring fed water. This area has been fenced of now for a number of years, with planting of various species of trees. Stock does not have access to this area.

Refer to Waterway and CSA Management.

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