Download - DairyNZ

Water is in hot demand. New Zealandhas lots of it – and lots of uses forit. The future of dairy farming isincreased competition for water.This means knowing how much wateryour farm uses, securing supply andbeing efficient with it.What should farmers do now?When water quantity limits do arrive, meeting them willbe a compliance requirement. However, greater wateruse efficiency will enable a farm to grow under set limits.Over the next five years, farmers are recommended to:• Get a water meter installed to measure use.• Identify where water efficiency gains can be made(visit dairynz.co.nz/smartwateruse).• Be aware of any changes in regulation or councilpolicies on water use.• If limit setting processes are underway in your region,get involved.• Ensure the farm has secured access to water.New Zealand’s most valuable resource has become hotproperty as industries, communities and ecosystems compete fortheir slice of the pie.Water has traditionally been quite accessible, however asdemand increases, regional councils face the challenge of settinglimits and allocating the water resource to users. This includesagriculture, where water limits will become a reality around thecountry in the next 10 to 20 years.DairyNZ environment policy manager Mike Scarsbrook says thelimits aren’t prompted by a shortage of water, as New Zealandhas plenty of it. It’s the increased demand on water whichrequires tighter control and managing availability of water duringdry summers when river flows need to be maintained.He says securing access to water will become par for thecourse as regional councils set water quality and quantitylimits nationwide.“As a country, we are very rich in water. But it’s now aboutgetting access – we have to compete for water, so we mustshow we are responsible users of it,” says Mike.“We compete with other agricultural users, hydro, townwater supply and community. And, the actual waterways too –to remain healthy, they need both a minimum flow and somedegree of variability. For example, floods are importantto waterways.”(cont'd pg 6)InsideDairy5