FOCUS - Foundation for Arable Research · about nutrient management planning for your arable farm Autrient n management plan is a personalised business document for your farm. It

FOCUSF o u n d a t i o n F o r A r a b l e R e s e a r c h

FAR

Nutrient Management Plans

FOCUS

• Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?

• Resources

• Nutrientmanagementchecklist

I s s u e 0 6 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2

I S S U E

6

A D D I N G VA L U E T O T H E B U S I N E S S O F A R A B L E F A R M I N G ™®

2

Introduction“Each unit of land should be farmed within its limits; achieving sustainability does not need to come at the cost of production or profit”

A nutrient management plan is your plan for optimising the use of nutrients on your farm.

Contents1.Background..........................................2 • Nutrientmanagementplans • Nutrientplanninglinkages

2.Introduction..........................................5 • WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan? • Whatisanutrientmanagementplan? • Whatshouldmynutrientmanagement planinclude? • Nutrientmanagementchecklist • Makingithappen

3.Resources.............................................8 • Nutrientmanagementtools • Farmmapping • Soilmapping • Soilmaps • Soiltesting • FertiliserPurchaseRecords

4.Nutrientmanagementchecklist........ 10 • Propertymanagement • Farmresources • Fertilisermanagement • Soiltesting • Soilmanagement • Irrigation • Waterways

©FoundationforArableResearch(FAR)

DISCLAIMER

ThispublicationiscopyrighttotheFoundationforArableResearchandmaynotbereproducedorcopiedinanyformwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermission.

ThisFARFocusisintendedtoprovideaccurateandadequateinformationrelatingtothesubjectmatterscontainedinit.IthasbeenpreparedandmadeavailabletoallpersonsandentitiesstrictlyonthebasisthatFAR,itsresearchersandauthorsarefullyexcludedfromanyliabilityfordamagesarisingoutofanyrelianceinpartorinfulluponanyoftheinformationforanypurpose.Noendorsementofnamedproductsisintendednorisanycriticismofotheralternative,butunnamedproduct.

FOCUSFARFOCUS

5.Technicalnotes..................................... 15 • Propertymanagementobjectives • Farmresources • Fertilisermanagement • Soilmanagement • Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfrom gettingintowater • Waterways

6.Appendices............................................. 24

1.Background• Nutrientmanagementplans

• Nutrientplanninglinkages

Background

Farmingpracticeshaveimpactsonwater,soilsandgreenhousegasemissions.Farmersallaroundtheworldareunderincreasingpressuretoreducetheirenvironmentalfootprintbyminimisingnutrientlossesandemissionsfromtheirland.Lostnutrientsareacosttoboththefarmbusinessandtheenvironment.

AllNewZealandershaveacommoninterestinensuringourfreshwaterlakes,rivers,aquifersandwetlandsaremanagedwisely.Theyarepartofournaturalheritage,contributingtoourwell-beingand

mustbepreservedforfuturegenerations.ByworldstandardsNewZealand’swaterqualityishigh,butnutrientlossfromourfarmsishavingasignificantimpact.Nitrogenandphosphorusdrivefarmproductivitybutwhentheyleachorwashintofreshwatertheybecomeenvironmentalpollutants,reducingthequalityofthewaterinourlakesandriversandharmingfreshwatereco-systems.

Farmersareunderpressurefromregionalcouncils,industryandenvironmentalgroups,andthepublictominimisenutrientlosses.AnumberofnationalobjectivesthroughtheNationalPolicyStatementforFreshWaterandtheLandandWaterForumareinplacethatwillimpactonfarmers.Theseincludethesettingofnutrientloadlimitsforcatchmentsbyregionalcouncilsandtheirrequirementsforfarmerstohavenutrientmanagementplans.Industrypartnerships,suchastheDairyingandCleanStreamsAccord,arefocussingonreducingtheimpactsofdairyingonfreshwaterquality.

Itisessentialthatfarmersunderstandthepotentialeffectoftheirmanagementpracticesonwaterresources,andthattheyusearangeofpracticestominimisenutrientlossestotheenvironment.

Nutrientmanagementplanningisaprocessthatfarmerscanusetoassesstheeffectivenessoftheirnutrientmanagementpracticesandtheriskofenvironmentaldamagefromnutrientlossesfromtheirland.

Thisnutrientmanagementplanchecklistandtemplatehasbeendevelopedthroughout2011and2012byNewZealandcroppingfarmersforNewZealandcroppingfarms.TheactivecomponentsoftheplancanbedownloadedfromtheFARwebsitewww.far.org.nz.

Inthefuture,weexpectthenutrientmanagementplanforcroppingfarmerswillbeavailablethroughsomededicatedsoftware.

NutrientmanagementplansTherearetwowaysthatenvironmentalperformancecanbeimproved.

InputcontrolsWherefarminputsarecappedandcontrolledbyregulatorybodies,orbythebetteroption;

OutputreportingWherefarmerscontroltheirinputsthroughmanagementpracticesandtheyreportonthenutrientoutputsfromtheirfarmingsystems.

Thenutrientmanagementplanisthetoolforthispurpose.

Background 3

ThisFARFocusisdesignedtoprovideyouwithinformationaboutnutrientmanagementplanningforyourarablefarmAnutrientmanagementplanisapersonalisedbusinessdocumentforyourfarm.Itisuniquetoyourfarmaseveryfarmisdifferentandeveryfarmerhasdifferentbusinessobjectives.Itisyourplananditneedstobedevelopedandimplementedtoworkforyou.

Yournutrientmanagementplanwillhighlightpracticeswhichcanbeimplementedtooptimisetheuseofnutrients.Lossesfromleachingandrun-offwillbereducedtogiveyoubettercostefficienciesandbetterenvironmentaloutcomes.

Tobeaneffectivefarmmanagementtool,yournutrientmanagementplanrequiresyourinput.Itneedstoberevisitedandupdatedannuallytodeliverbenefitstoyourbusiness.Itrequiresyoutoidentifywhatcanrealisticallybedoneonyourfarmwiththeavailableresources,andtodevelopaplantoimplementchange.Itislikelythatallregulatoryauthoritieswillrequirefarmerstohaveanutrientmanagementplaninthefuture.Thisisalreadyinplaceinsomeregions.

Anumberofpeoplecanhelpyoudevelopanutrientmanagementplan.Theseincludefarmemployees,farmconsultantsandfertilisercompanyconsultants.

Insummary:Yournutrientmanagementplanis:• isapersonalisedbusiness documentforyourfarm;

• isdevelopedwithyourinput;

•andimplementedbyyou;

•anactionplantooptimisesthe useofnutrientsonyourfarm forbetterproductivityand environmentalbenefits.

Nutrientplanninglink

ages

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lanconsidersthewholefarm

.Itinvolves;

•Settingbusinessobjectives–economic,environm

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•Perform

ingariskassessmentforth

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ofnutrients.

•Decidingonaplanofaction–includ

ingtim

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•Keepingre

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2.Introduction• WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan?

• Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?

• Whatshouldmynutrientmanagementplaninclude?

• Themostimportantpart-makingithappen!

Background

WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan?TheycansaveyoumoneyAnutrientmanagementplan(NMP)iscustom-madeforyourfarm.Itwillhelpyouutilisenutrientsmoreefficiently,butthereismoretoefficientnutrientmanagementthanjustgettingthefertiliserinputsright.

Althoughfertiliserisakeysourceforthenutrientsutilisedbyyourcrop,thereareothernutrientsourcesandmanagementfactorsinvolved.Considerationmustalsobegiventosoilandstockmanagement,irrigationandtheuseofwintercrops.Fertiliserresponsewillbebettermanagedifallthesefactorsaretakenintoconsideration,andimprovedefficiencieswillproviderealsavings.

AwellthoughtoutNMPmakesgoodbusinesssense.

MarketassuranceAnaccreditedandapprovednutrientmanagementplandemonstratesthatyouarecapablyaddressingthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofyourbusiness.Thisisanincreasinglyimportantconsiderationintermsofmarketqualityassuranceprogramsandgovernmentregulation.

NutrientmanagementplanswillmeetregionalcouncilrulesRegionalcouncilsarechargedwithmonitoringandprotectingournaturalresourcesincludingthequalityofwaterways.Scientificmonitoringhasshownadeclineofwaterqualityinlowlandrivers,lakesandgroundwatersystems,andregionalcouncilsaretakingstepstohaltthedecline.Forexample,EnvironmentWaikatoandHorizonsRegionalCouncilnowrequireanyoneusingmorethan60kgN/ha/yeartohaveaNMP.Otherregionalcouncilsarelikelytoimplementsimilarrules,solet’sstayaheadofthegame.

Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?Anutrientmanagementplanisawrittendocumentwhichdescribeshowmajornutrients(N,P,K,S,andothersofimportancetospecialistcrops)willbemanagedannually.Itisimplementedtooptimiseproductivity,reducenutrientlossesandaddressanypotentialadverseeffectsontheenvironment.

Weneedtorememberthatournutrientpracticesmustbemanagedallyearroundforcrops,stockgrazingandlandthatisbeingfallowed.

Whatshouldmynutrientmanagementplaninclude?Anutrientmanagementplanmustidentifyyourfarmgoalsandobjectives,thefarmresourcesandthesignificanceofanyriskareas.Itshouldidentifytheactionstobetakenandrecordstobekept.

$$$inthebank.

Anutrientmanagementplanmakesgoodbusinesssenseaswellashelpingyoutomeetregionalcouncilregulations.

Anutrientmanagementplanismorethanjustanutrientbudgetoffertiliserinputs.Itaddressesarangeofmanagementoptionstoincreaseproductivity,andreducenutrientlossesandenvironmentaleffects.

Agoodnutrientmanagementplanstartswithafarmmapandaccuraterecordingkeeping.

Accesstomarkets.

Introduction6 Introduction

Afarmmapisausefulstartingpointforanutrientmanagementplan.Ifyoudonotalreadyhaveafarmmap,werecommendyoudevelopone.Itdoesn’thavetobealargetaskandthereareguidelinesinthetechnicalnotesonwhatshouldbeincluded.Farmmappingservicesarewidelyavailable(seeResources).

Goodrecordmanagementisakeypartofnutrientmanagement.YourNMPshouldhavecopiesof,orreferencetothelocationof,thefollowingdocuments:

• Nutrientmanagementchecklist(seenext)• Soilsamplingprotocols• Soiltestresults• Fertiliserrecommendations• Fertiliserinputs• Nutrientbudgets• Soilmoisturemonitoringandirrigationinputs• Actionsrequired• Identifiedareasofresponsibility• Recordsofmonitoringofoutcomes

Keepthisinformationinasafelocation.Youmaywishtokeepthisinformationtogetherinaspecificnutrientmanagementfolder,alongsidesupportinginformation.

Farmmanagementsoftwareiswidelyavailable.

ThenutrientmanagementchecklistThechecklistwilltakeyouthroughtheissuesthatasanarablefarmeryouneedtoconsider.

Thechecklistisaseriesofquestionsrelatingtodifferenttopics,eachwithaYES/NOanswer.Notalltopicsmayberelevanttoyou.Therearetechnicalnotesforeachquestionwithmoredetailsexplainingwhyitisimportanttogetitright.

Theredboxesonthechecklistalertyoutowhereactionmayberequiredbutyouneedtocomeupwiththebestsolutionforyourfarm.

Themostimportantpart-makingithappen!Anutrientmanagementplanisnotjustaboutcollectingbitsofpaper.Itinvolvesactiononthoseissuesidentifiedinthechecklist.

• Settimeframestoimplementsolutionsforissuesidentifiedinthe checklistandfollowitthrough.• Communicatetheactionstoyourstaffandcontractors.• Reviseyourplanannuallytomonitorprogressandidentifyany newissuesthatneedaddressing.

Usethenutrientmanagementchecklisttoidentifyissuesandthinkaboutsolutions.

Anutrientmanagementplanneedsactionsfortheissuesidentifiedinthechecklist.

Introduction 7Introduction

3.ResourcesThissectionprovidesinformationonresources.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheinformationisascompleteaspossible,itmaynotincludeallsuppliersofresourcesandthecontactdetailsmaychangefromthedateofpublishing.

Resources

NutrientmanagementtoolsCodeofPracticeforNutrientManagement,FertResearch,(providesBestManagementPracticechecklistforNandP,aswellasatemplateforproducingaNutrientManagementPlan).www.fertresearch.co.nz

Fertmarkisanindependentlyassessedfertiliserqualityassuranceprogramme.www.fertqual.co.nz

Spreadmarkcertifiedoperators.www.fertqual.co.nz

DEFRA,8thEditionoftheFertiliserManual.www.defra.gov.uk/rb209

AmaizeNForecastingsoftwareforyieldandNfertiliserofmaizesilageandgraincrops.www.far.org.nz

WheatCalculatorForecastingsoftwareforyield,Nfertiliserandirrigationofwheatcrops.www.far.org.nz

IrrigationmanagementtoolsAquatrac™irrigationcalculator.

FarmmappingFrontiermapping www.frontiermapping.co.nzWMCfarmmapping www.farmmap.co.nzCRSfarmmapping www.crssoftware.co.nzFarmworks www.farmworkspfs.co.nzFarmmappingNZ www.farmmapping.co.nzRMTech www.rmtech.co.nzMosaicmapping www.mosaicmap.co.nzRuralmapping www.ruralmapping.co.nzLandVision www.landvision.co.nzNZCentreforPrecisionAgriculture www.nzcpa.co.nz

SoilmappingLandVision www.landvision.co.nzNZCentreforPrecisionAgriculture www.nzcpa.co.nzAgriOptics www.agrioptics.co.nzWheresmycows www.wheresmycows.com

PublishedsoilmapsLandCareResearch www.mwpress.co.nzS-mapOnline www.smap.landcareresearch.co.nzRegionalCouncils

SoiltestingservicesAnalyticalResearchLaboratories www.ravensdown.co.nzHillLaboratories,Hamilton www.hill-labs.co.nzNZLabs,Hamilton www.nzlabs.co.nz

SoilmoisturemonitoringservicesandequipmentHydro-Services www.hydroservices.co.nzAgFirst www.agfirst.co.nzFruition www.fruition.net.nzWaterForce www.waterforce.co.nzWaterDynamics www.waterdynamics.co.nzAquaflex www.streatsahead.comFruitFedSupplies www.fruitfed.co.nz

RegionalanddistrictcouncilsYourlocalregionalordistrictcouncilisavaluablesourceofinformation.Checktheirwebsitesforspecificinformationabouttheirenvironmentalrulesforyourregion.Theyalsoprovideinformationabouttheservicesthatareavailableinyourregion.

NorthIslandNorthlandRegionalCouncil www.nrc.govt.nzAucklandCouncil www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nzWaikatoRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentWaikato) www.ew.govt.nzBayofPlentyRegionalCouncilwww.envbop.govt.nzGisborneDistrictCouncil www.gdc.govt.nzHawke’sBayRegionalCouncil www.hbrc.govt.nzManawatu-WanganuiRegionalCouncil(Horizons) www.horizons.govt.nzTaranakiRegionalCouncil www.trc.govt.nzGreaterWellingtonRegionalCouncil www.gw.govt.nz

SouthIslandCanterburyRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentCanterbury) www.ecan.govt.nzOtagoRegionalCouncil www.orc.govt.nzSouthlandRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentSouthland) www.es.govt.nzWestCoastRegionalCouncil www.wcrc.govt.nzMarlboroughDistrictCouncil www.marlborough.govt.nzTasmanDistrictCouncil www.tasman.govt.nzSelwynDistrictCouncil www.selwyn.govt.nz

DairyingandCleanStreamsAccordwww.mfe.govt.nz/issues/land/rural/dairying-accordDairyNZ www.dairynz.co.nzBeef&Lamb www.beeflambnz.comHortNZ www.hortnz.co.nzNZGAP www.newzealandgap.co.nz

NewZealandWaterEnvironmentResearchFoundationSustainableDrainageManagementwww.waternz.org.nz/documents/publications/books_guides/fieldguide_final.pdf

Resources 9

4.Thenutrientmanagementchecklist• Propertymanagement

• Fertilisermanagement

• Soilmanagement

• Watermanagement

Thenutrientmanagementchecklist10 Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

ThenutrientmanagementchecklistThischeck-listdoesnotcompriseafullfarmnutrientmanagementplan.

Ifyouarestartingout,usethechecklisttoworkthroughallthecomponentsofyourfarmsystemthatwillbeincludedinafullnutrientmanagementplan.Taketimetoconsideryouranswersandrefertothetechnicalnotesformoreinformation.Thechecklistwillenableyoutoquicklypin-pointareasormanagementpracticesonyourfarmthatcouldbeimproved.Useitasabuildingblocktoleadyoutoimprovedsustainability.Technicalnotesrelatingtoeachquestionareprovidedafterthetables.

Ifyouareemployingsomeoneelsetodevelopanutrientmanagementplan,usethischecklistforguidancewhenconsideringtheplantheyaredeveloping.

Thebuildingblocksforawhole-farmnutrientmanagementplanUsetheinformationinthecompletedchecklisttoidentifyareasthatneedattentiononyourfarm.

Developafullnutrientmanagementplanforyourfarmbyfollowingthesesteps.

Step3 Whole-farmnutrientmanagementplan developedandinaction. Staffandcontractorsonboard. Record-keepingsystemmaintained. Progressreviewedannually.

Step2 Consideryourremedialactions: Determinetheactivitiesthatwillbeinvolved,thetimeframe forcompletingthejobandthecostofdoingso. Developadetailedplanforthework. Documenttheannualactivitiesandthecosts.

Step1 Workthroughthechecklistbyyourselforwithyourconsultantoradvisor.Refertothe resourcepagefortoolstouseorpeoplewhocanprovideadvice.Manyofthesearefree. Usethechecklisttoprioritiseareasofwork. Thechecklistmightindicateseveralareasthatneedattention,considerthesize ofthejobandyourresources.

Thenutrientmanagementchecklist 11Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

ThechecklistYourpersonalandbusinessgoalsdeterminehowyoumanagethefarm.

PROPERTYMANAGEMENT YES NO

1 Haveyouconsideredandsetproductionobjectivesforyourfarm?

2 Haveyouconsideredandsetenvironmentalobjectivesforyourfarm?

3 Haveyouconsideredandsetsocialobjectivesforyourbusiness?

4 Areyouawareofyourregionalcouncil’scurrentnutrientmanagementrequirements?

5 Areyouawareofyourindustryorcustomers’currentnutrientmanagementrequirements?

FARMRESOURCES YES NO

6Doyouhaveafarmmapwithdetailsoflandmanagementunits,soiltypesandsignificantenvironmentalareas?

7Doesyourmapshowwherethenutrienthot-spotsare?Theseinclude;silagepits,offalpits,farmdumps,feedpads,fertiliserstores,effluentponds,stockyards,stockcamps,stockwinteringareas,flatareasatthebottomofacatchmentandwashdownareas.

FertilisermanagementManageyourfertiliserinputstoachieveyouryieldobjectivesandminimiselossestotheenvironment.

FERTILISERMANAGEMENT YES NO

8Doyoufollowthebestmanagementpracticesfortransporting,storing,applyinganddisposingoffertilisersasrecommendedinFertresearch’sCodeofpracticefornutrientmanagementwww.fertresearch.org.nz?

9Doyouuseaqualifiedpersonwhousesanappropriatenutrientmanagementtooltoprepareyourfertiliserrecommendations?

10Doyouuseacropcalculatororpreviousresearchdatatodeterminefertiliserapplicationratesanddates?

11 Doyoufollowthefertiliserrecommendationswithrespecttorateandtiming?

12Doyourecordyourfertiliserinputs,includingtherateandproductusedandtheapplicationdate?

13 Doyouuseanutrientbudgettoassesscumulativenutrienteffectsonyourfarm?

14DoyoucalibrateyourfertiliserapplicationequipmentoruseaFertMarkcertifiedoperator?

15 Doyoumatchyournitrogenapplicationstotimesofrapidplantgrowth?

16Ifyouareinahighrainfallarea,doyousplityourNfertiliserapplicationstoreduceleaching?

17 Doyouapplylessthan30kgN/haduringwinter(MaytoJuly)?

FERTILISERMANAGEMENT-Organicsourcescomposts/manures/effluents YES NO

18 Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofanyorganicfertilisersbeforeapplication?

19 Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofeffluentbeforeapplication?

20Ifyouapplyeffluent,isitataratethatmeetsyourlocalregionalcouncilrequirementsfornutrientconcentrations?

Thenutrientmanagementchecklist12 Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

SoilmanagementAstrategytoimproveoratleastmaintainyoursoilqualitywillimproveyourprofitability.

SOILTESTING YES NO

21 Doyoucollectsoiltestsfromeachofyourlandmanagementunitsevery1-3years?

22 Doyouhavedocumentedsoilsamplingprotocols(samplingpatterns)?

23 Doyoukeepcopiesofallyoursoiltests?

24 DoyouusesoilmineralNteststodeterminefertiliserNinputs?

25 IsyoursoilOlsenP(0-15cm)lessthan40µg/ml?

26DoyouregularlymonitorandrecordchangesinyoursoilstructurebyusingasoilassessmenttoolsuchasVSA?

SOILMANAGEMENT YES NO

27Dominimiserun-offanderosionbymatchingyourcultivationstothesoiltypeandlandcontour?

28Doyoucultivateandplantacrossthecontourofslopinggroundratherthanupanddownit?

29 Doyouhavedrainagesystemsforyourheavy-mediumsoils?

30Doyoursoilandirrigationmanagementsystemspreventpondingduringrainandirrigation?

31 Doyouusereducedtillagetechniqueswheneverpossible?

32 Doyoumanagegrazingstocktopreventpuggingandcompaction?

33 Doyouremovecompactedorpuggedareasbeforeestablishingthenextcrop?

34 Doyouusecovercrops,whenrestingpaddocksinyourcroprotations?

Thenutrientmanagementchecklist 13Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

WatermanagementPreventingnutrientsandsedimentsgettingintowater.

IRRIGATION YES NO

35 Doyouirrigate?(Iftheanswerisno,proceedtoquestion41)

36Doyouhaveresourceconsenttoirrigateandifso,doyoumeettherequirementsofthisconsent?

37 Haveyouinstalledwatermeters?

38 Isyourirrigationmanagedtoimproveefficiencyandreducerun-off?

39Doyouusetoolssuchassoilmoisturemonitoringorsoilwaterbudgetstoscheduleirrigation?

40 Doesthewaterinfiltrateyoursoilswithoutanysurfaceponding?

41 Doyouapplylessthan50mmofirrigationinanyoneapplication?

42 Doyouregularlycheckforandrepairleaksandworncomponentsinyoursystem?

WATERWAYS YES NO

43Doyouleavea2mmarginbetweenyourcultivationandanywaterway(excludesephemeralstreams)?

44 Doyouhaveriparianplantingsonwaterwayboundaries?

45Doyouhavedrainsand/orusecontouringtoeliminatethemovementofwateracrossyourpaddocksduringheavyrain?

46Doyouhavegrassfiltrationstripsaroundthepaddockboundariesandatwater-wayedgestocatchsediments?

47 Doyoupreventfertiliserenteringwaterwaysduringspreading?

48 Areyourstreamanddrainbanksfreefromerosion?

49 Isthewaterfromsub-surfacedrainspreventedfromflowingdirectlyintoawaterways?

50 Arestockexcludedfromwaterways?

DefinitionAwater-wayiscommonlydefinedasbeing“widerthanastride,anddeeperthanaredbandgumboot.”

Ephemeralstreams(intermittentwaterwayswhichmayonlybepresentinwinter)areexcluded.Note:Someregionalcouncilshavespecific‘legal’definitionswhichapplytotheirregulations.Alwayschecktherequirementsofyourregionalcouncil.

Oncethechecklisthasbeencompleted:Checkoutthenumberofquestionsthatyouhaveanswered“no”to.Thesewillbetheareasthatneedremedialactiononyourfarm.

Effectiveremedialactionneedstoinclude:• Detailsofwhatneedstobechanged• Anactionplandetailingwhatisgoingtobedone, withthecostsandtime-frameconsidered.

14 Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

5.Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist• Propertymanagementobjectives

• Farmresources

• Fertilisermanagement

• Soilmanagement

• Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfromgettingintowater

• Waterways

Thenutrientmanagementchecklist

Propertymanagementobjectives1.Haveyouconsideredandsetproductionobjectivesforyourfarm?TheproductionobjectivessetbyyouforyourcropsinkgDM/haorT/hadeterminethelevelofinputs,bothnutrientandwater,thatwillberequiredtomeettheyielddemand.Thesemayalsobereferredtoasproductivitytargets.

2.Haveyouconsideredandsetenvironmentalobjectivesforyourfarm?Theenvironmentalobjectivesforthefarmprovideaframeworkfortheenvironmentalplanningforyourfarm.Thismightincludedevelopment,conservationorremediationofenvironmentalareasonyourfarm.Examplesofenvironmentalareasareareasofnativebushandwetlands.Beef&LambLandandEnvironmentPlanningareanexampleofenvironmentalplanning.(www.beeflambnz.com/farm/tools-resources/land-and-environment-planning-toolkit).

3.Haveyouconsideredandsetsocialobjectivesforyourbusiness?Socialobjectivesdeterminethelevelofwell-beingofyourself,yourfamilyandyourstaff.Thesemayincludesuchthingsas:• Exposuretorisk• Education• Retirementandsuccessionplanning• Stafftrainingandeducation• Time-outfromthebusiness

4.Areyouawareofyourregionalcouncil’scurrentnutrientmanagementrequirements?Currentinformationaboutyourresponsibilitiesasalandmanagerisavailablefromyourlocaldistrictorregionalcouncil.Itisimportantthatyouknowthedetailsofyourregionalplanthatspecificallyrelatetoyourbusiness.

Forexample,ifyouarefarmingintheWaikatoandareapplyingmorethan60kgN/ha/year,youmusthaveanutrientmanagementplan.HorizonsRegionalCouncilrequiresfarmerstopreparenutrientbudgets.Otherregionalcouncilsarereviewingtheirnutrientmanagementrequirements,itisimportanttokeepuptodatewithyourcouncil’sregionalrequirements.

5.Areyouawareofyourindustryorcustomers’currentnutrientmanagementrequirements?Someofyourcustomersmighthavespecificrequirementsaroundnutrientmanagement.Iftheirrequirementsaren’tmet,youmayfindthattheywillnotacceptyourproduct.IndustryexamplesoftheseincludeNZGAP,theSilverFernFarmsfarmassuranceprogrammesandtheDairyingandCleanStreamsAccord.

Farmresources6.Doyouhaveafarmmapwithdetailsoflandmanagementunits,soiltypesandsignificantenvironmentalareas?

7.Doesyourmapshowwherenutrienthot-spotsare?Theseinclude;silagepits,offalpits,farmdumps,feedpads,fertiliserstores,effluentponds,stockyards,stockcamps,stockwinteringareas,flatareasatthebottomofacatchmentandwashdownareas.

Thefarmmapshouldincludelandmanagementunits,soiltypes,paddockboundaries,farmtracks,buildings,sensitiveareasandnutrienthotspots.• Landmanagementunitsareparcelsofthefarmthat

aresimilarinsoiltype,contour,managementetc.Managementunitsmaybeindividualpaddocksorgroupsofpaddocks.

• Soils-Thesoilnameislessimportantthanthepropertiesofthesoil,suchasitstexture(sand,silt,clay,peat),drainagecharacteristics(poorlydrained,freedraining),andthepotentialrootingdepth(depthtostones,watertable,ironpanetc).Yourregionalcouncilshouldhavecopiesofsoilmapsforyourregion.Youcangetagoodideaofthedifferencesinsoiltypeonyourfarmbydiggingaseriesofsoilpits,toatleastthedepthoftherootingzone.Tactileexaminationofthesoilswilldetermineiftheyaresands,siltsorclays.Problemswithdrainagemaybeseenasblue-greybandsintheprofile.Regular,recordedvisualsoilassessments(VSA)providevaluabledataaboutchangesinyoursoil’squality.Electro-magnetic(EM)surveyscantellyouaboutpaddockscalevariationinsoilproperties;thisisastartingpointforvariablemanagementfornutrientsandirrigation.EMmappingisaprocessthatmapstherelativeconductivityofthesoilsinyourpaddock.Soilpropertiesthatinfluenceconductivityinclude;soiltexture,soilmoisture,cationexchangecapacity,bulkdensityandsalinity.Thereisalinkbetweenthesoil’sconductivityanditswaterholdingcapacity.

• Environmentallysensitiveareasincludingretiredareas,steepslopes,wetlands,nativebush,andwaterways(streams,drains,ponds,lakes).

• Nutrienthotspotsincludeoffalpits,farmdumps,effluentponds(currentandhistoric),silagestacks,firesites,wash-downareasandareaswherewaterponds.

• Areaswherefarmeffluentsareregularlyapplied.

Rubbishandoffalholesareasourceofnutrients,bacteriaandothercontaminantswhichcanleachintowaterwaysandgroundwater.Appropriateplacementanddepthoffarmdumpsandoffalpitsisimportanttominimisenutrientsgettingintowaterbodies.It’sprobablynotpracticaltomoveexistingdumpsoroffalholes,butyoushouldcarefullyconsiderpotentialenvironmentaleffectswheninstallingnewones.Checkyourregionalcouncilregulationsandrequirements.

Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist16 Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist

ManycompaniesprovidefarmmappingservicesoryoucoulduseGoogleMapsorGoogleEarthtodevelopyourownplan.

Fertilisermanagement8.Doyoufollowthebestmanagementpracticesfortransporting,storinganddisposingoffertilisersasrecommendedinFertresearch’sCodeofpracticefornutrientmanagement(www.fertresearch.org.nz)Fertilisershouldbestoredoutoftheweather,preferablyonapalletandonaconcretefloortomaintainitsqualityandtopreventnutrientlosses.Donotstorefertilisersandfueltogether-theycanbeavolatilemix!

The‘CodeofPracticeforNutrientManagement’hasmoreinformationonfertiliserstorage,useandapplication.

9.Doyouuseaqualifiedpersonwhousesanappropriatenutrientmanagementtooltoprepareyourfertiliserrecommendations?

10.Doyouuseacropcalculatororpreviousresearchdatatodeterminefertiliserapplicationratesanddates?Theinterpretationofsoiltestresultsinrelationtocropdemandmustconsiderfactorssuchas;location,soiltype,sowingtime,cropspeciesandcultivar,andplantpopulation.Environmentaleffectsmustbeconsideredalongsidethecropresponse.

Therearemanyconsultantswhocanpreparefertiliserrecommendationsforyou.ItisrecommendedthatyouchooseaccreditedadvisorswhohavecompletedtheIntermediateandAdvancedshortcourseson“SustainableNutrientManagementinNewZealandAgriculture”,whichfocusonnutrientmanagementforthebesteconomicandenvironmentaloutcomes.

ComputerbaseddecisionsupporttoolssuchastheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeNhavebeendesignedspecificallyforwheatandmaize.Theyusesoil,weatherandsoiltestinformationtopredicttheNfertiliserrequirementsforthecrop,andpredictyieldandharvestdate.

Regardlessofwhopreparesyourfertiliserrecommendationandnutrientmanagementplan,makesureyoukeepacopyofit.

11.Doyoufollowthefertiliserrecommendationswithrespecttorateandtiming?Theremaybeverygoodreasonstodeviatefromyourfertiliserrecommendations.Seasonalconditionsorfertiliserpricesmightcauseyoutoreconsideryourrequirements.Whateverthereasonforthechange,makesureyourecorditandwhatyouractualapplicationswere.

12.Doyourecordyourfertiliserinputs,includingtherateandproductusedandtheapplicationdate?Keepingthisinformationwillhelpyouinterpretchangesinsoilnutrientstatusandcompilenutrientbudgets.Forallfertiliserapplicationsensurethatyourecord:• Thecalibrationdetailsofyourapplication equipment.• Ifusingacontractor,who,andiftheyare FertMarkcertified.• Thetypeoffertiliserandtherateapplied.• Percentageofnitrogen,phosphorus,potassium andothernutrientsinthefertiliser(fertilisernames andformulationscanchange).• Where,whenandhowitwasapplied.Ifthe spreadercanprovideanapplicationmap,keepit asrecord.Yourcontractorcansupplyyouwith applicationmaps.

PhotocourtesyofEllesmereTransportCoLtd

Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist 17Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist

Don’trelyonyourfertilisersuppliertodothis.Theycanonlytellyouthetotalfertiliserthey’vesupplied,notwhereorhowmuchhasbeenapplied.

13.Doyouhaveanutrientbudgettoassesscumulativenutrienteffectsonyourfarm?Anutrientbudgetdescribesandquantifiesallthenutrientinputs(e.g.fertilisers)andoutputs(e.g.cropremovalandNleaching).NutrientbudgetsareoftenbestpreparedusingcomputerbasedtoolssuchastheWheatCalculator,AmaizeNandOVERSEER®nutrientbudgets.OVERSEER®hasmodulesforpastoralfarms,fruitcropsandarableandvegetablecrops.Itworksretrospectively,i.e.thenutrientbudgetreferstothecropthathasbeenrecentlyharvested.

Youcandevelopyourownsimplenutrientbudgetforsomecropsbyworkingoutthequantityofnutrientsthatwillberemovedasgrain,seedorforageandthequantityofnutrientsneededtomatchthisremovalandanynormallossesorinefficienciesofthecroppingsystem.

PrintouttheNutrientBudgetreportforinclusioninyournutrientmanagementplan.

14.DoyoucalibrateyourfertiliserapplicationequipmentoruseaSpreadmarkcertifiedoperator?Ifyouaredoingyourownfertiliserapplication,calibrateyourspreader,drilland/orside-dresserregularlytoensuretheapplicationrateiscorrect.Checkthatyourapplicationpatterniseven.Calibrationinvolvescheckingthatthespreaderisdeliveringtherightweightorvolumeoffertilisertoaknownarea.

Ifusingacontractor,checkthattheyareSpreadmarkcertified.Spreadmarkaccreditedoperatorshaveindependentlytestedmachinery,auditedproceduresandtraineddrivers.SpreadmarkisaschemerunbytheNewZealandFertiliserQualityCouncil.

Precisionspreading,usingGPSandGISsystems,hasenabledcommercialfertiliserspreaders(groundandaerial)toachieveahighdegreeoffertiliserspreadingaccuracy.Thistechnologyenablesspreaderstocoverpreciseareaswithminimaloverlaporgapsbetweenspreadingrunsandtoachieveaccuratebuffersbetweentargetandnon-targetareas.Manyspreadershaveheadlandcontroltoensureevenspreadingacrossthewholepaddock.

15.Doyoumatchyournitrogenapplicationstotimesofrapidplantgrowth?Ifnitrogeninputsexceedtheuptakebythecrop,thereisariskthattherewillbelosses,eitherthroughleachingafterrainorbyvolatilisation.Toavoidthis,matchtheapplicationstotheperiodsofmostrapidgrowthinthecropandavoidtimeswhenthesoilsarecoldandwetorverydry.

Incropssuchaswheat,maize,ryegrassandoilseedrape,thereisverygoodscientificdataonhownitrogenisutilisedtomaximiseyield,relativetothegrowthstagesoftheplant.ThisinformationisbuiltintotheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeN,orisavailableinFAR’scroppingstrategydocumentsandArableUpdates;www.far.org.nz.

16.Ifyouareinahighrainfallarea,doyousplitNfertiliserapplications?Leachingisdrivenbydrainagefromhighrainfalleventsorirrigation.Checkweatherforecastsandavoidapplicationifheavyrainseemslikely.Lightsoiltypessuchassandsandsilts,orshallowsoilsoverstonesarepronetorapiddrainageandnitrogenlossesthroughleaching.Splitapplicationstomatchcropdemandmaybeaneffectivenutrientmanagementstrategyonthesesoils.

17.Doyouapplylessthan30kgN/haduringwinter(MaytoJuly)?Winterisoftenwhendrainageandleachingriskisgreatest;thereismorerain,lessevaporationand


reducedcropuptake.Soiltemperaturesmayalsobetoocoolforanyplantuptake.Don’tapplyfertiliserswhenthesoiltemperatureislessthan4oC.Takecarewithresidualnitrogenandnitrogenapplicationsoverthisperiod.Lateautumnapplicationsthatmatchplantuptakearemoreeffectivethanwinterapplications.

18.Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofanyorganicfertilisersbeforeapplication?

19.Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofeffluentbeforeapplication?Justlikemineralfertilisers,materialssuchaschickenmanure,dairyeffluentorcompostwillcontainnutrients.Ifasked,suppliersshouldprovideacopyofthenutrientcontent.Iftheycan’tsupplythis,collectasampleyourselfforanalysis.

Togetarepresentativesamplefortesting,take10-12samplesfromtheheaporpondandmixthemtogether.Takeasub-samplefromthemixturefortesting.Ifsamplingfromtheeffluentpond,agitatetheeffluentbeforesampling.Thiswillproduceaslurrywithamorerepresentativesampleoftheeffluentnutrients.Ifsamplingfromafeedpadstoragefacilitywheretheyardisscraped,itmaybemoreappropriatetoprovideacompositesampletakenoveranextendedperiodoftimetogiveaveragevalues.

Calculateanappropriateapplicationrate.Beawarethatthenutrientlevelsineffluentareveryvariable,sothetestresultsareonlyaroughestimate.

Mostsoiltestinglabswillbeabletotestyourorganicfertilisersandmanyhavecustomkitsforeffluentsampling.

20.Doesyoureffluentapplicationratemeetyourlocalregionalcouncilrequirements?Checkwithyourlocalcounciltofindoutwhatthelocalrulesforeffluentapplicationsare.Measuretheapplicationratebyputtingoutcontainersduringtheapplicationandmeasuringthedepth.Multiplythevolumeappliedbythenutrientcontentoftheeffluenttodeterminethetotalnutrientapplication.

Theeasiestwaytodothisisputatleastfivecleanice-creamcontainersinthefieldtocollectproductduringapplication.Thiswillprovideyouwitharepresentativesampleaswellasgiveanindicationoftheapplicationrate.

Soilmanagement21.Doyoucollectsoiltestsfromeachofyourlandmanagementunitsevery1-3years?Itisimportanttomeasurethenutrientlevelsinyoursoilsthroughsoiltestingonaregularbasis.Yoursoiltestresultsprovideactualmeasurementofnutrientlevelsinyoursoils;these,withyourcropyields,provideyouwithevidenceabouthowwellyournutrientmanagementplanisworking.

Nutrientpredictionandbudgetingtoolsusethenutrientlevelsinyoursoils,toworkouthowmuch

fertiliserisneededtoreachtheproductiontargetsforyourcropswithminimallosses.Takesoiltestsbeforeyouplantfornutrientanalysis.FARfundedresearchhasshownthatthemostcosteffectiveapproachistosampleeachofyourlandmanagementunitsonanannualbasis.

22.Doyouhavedocumentedsoilsamplingprotocols(samplingpatterns)?Soilcanbequitevariable,evenoverashortdistance.Thewaythesoilsamplesarecollectedisimportantasithasanimpactonthetestresults.Tominimisevariabilityinsoiltests,collectthesoilsamplesatthesamedepth,usingthesamesamplingpattern,atthesametimeeachyear.

Thestandardsoilsamplingpatternisextremelyimportant.YoucanuseGPStomapyoursamplingpattern,butdiagonaltransectsbetweenmarkedfencepostscanbejustaseffective.Whenestablishingyoursamplingpattern,avoidgateways,hotspotsandotherabnormalareasinthepaddock.Theseshouldbemarkedonyourfarmmap!

Theequipmentrequiredis:a15cmcorerforbasicsoiltestsand/oranaugerfordeepmineralNtests(60cmdepth)plusabucketformixingthesamplesforacompositesub-sample,samplebagsthatseal,andlabels-useawater-resistantpenforlabelling.Samplesshouldbestoredinachillybinwithicetokeepthemcool.Ifyouareunabletotransportthemtothelabonthesameday,storetheminthefreezer.

Theremaybeahighturnoveroffertilisercompanyreps,whocommonlyundertakesoilsamplesonbehalfofgrowers,soyoushouldkeepacopyofthesamplingprotocolandmakesureeveryoneusesit.Youcanalsousethesamesamplingpatterntocollectherbagesamples.

23.Doyoukeepcopiesofallyoursoiltests?Regularsoiltestsarevaluablefortrackinglongtermchangesinsoilfertilitytherebyallowingyoutomakegooddecisionsaroundcapitaldressingsoflime,phosphorusandpotassiumetc.Mostfertilisercompanieswillkeepcopiesoftheresultsforyou,butit’sagoodideatokeepyourownasaback-up.

Partofaneffectivefarmmanagementplanincludesarecordkeepingsystem.Thismustbeeasyforallstafftoaccessanduseandhasaprovisionforsummaryreporting.

24.DoyouusesoilmineralNteststodeterminefertiliserNinputs?Nitrogenisthenutrientmostlikelytolimitcropyields,andthenutrientmostcommonlyappliedasfertiliser.Nitrogenalsohasthegreatestenvironmentalrisk,socaremustbetakentousetherightamount.TheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeNbothusesoilmineralNresultstodeterminefertiliserNinputs.ThisisalsocalledtheDeepNtest.

Becausemaizeandcerealsaredeeprooting,thedeeperwecancollectthesoilsamples,themore


accurateourfertiliserrecommendationwillbe.CurrentlytherecommendationistotestforsoilmineralNto60cm,exceptindryregionsorshallowsoils,whereshallowersamplesareacceptable.

Aftercollection,thesamplesshouldbechilledimmediatelyandsubmittedtothesoillabassoonaspossible.Forautumnsownwheat,werecommendthesamplesarecollectedinlatewinter/earlyspringafterthewinterrains,andformaize,samplethreetofourweeksaftersowing(collectfromthemidrowtoavoidthefertiliserappliedatplanting).FurtherguidelinesforDeepNtestingareprovidedwiththeWheatCalculatorandAmaizeN,bothofwhichareavailablefromFAR.

25.IsyoursoilOlsenP(0-15cm)lessthan40µg/ml?TheOlsenPtestestimatesthelevelofplantavailableinorganicPinthesoil.ItcangivevariableresultsdependingonsoilcharacteristicssuchaspHandlevelsofsoilorganicmatter.ItdoesnotassesstheorganiccomponentofPinthesoil.

Cerealsandmaizedonotrequirelargeamountsofphosphorus.Forexample,maizeplantscontainlessthan0.2%phosphorus.Exceedingtheoptimumsoilfertilityrangedoesnotmakeeconomicsense.Mostphosphoruscontaminationoffreshwatercomesfromsoilsedimentsinrunoff.Thehighlevelsofphosphorusstimulateplantgrowthinthewaterandmayleadtotoxicalgaeblooms.HighsoilOlsenPlevelsmakenosenseeconomicallyorenvironmentally.

26.DoyouregularlymonitorandrecordchangesinyoursoilstructurebyusingasoilassessmenttoolsuchasVSA?Environmentalandeconomicsustainabilityofcroppingandpastoralfarmscanbegreatlyinfluencedbysoilquality.Thevisualsoilassessmentmethod(VSA)provideslandmanagerswithasimpletooltoassessandmonitorsoilquality.

VSAisbasedonthevisual,qualitativescoringofkeybio-physicalindicatorsofsoilquality,andincorporatedonaneasytousescorecard.Thesoilindicatorsincludeanassessmentoftexture,porosity,colourandthepresenceofsoilmottles.Thesoilindicatorsaresupportedbyplantperformanceindicatorsthatlinksoilconditiontocropproduction.Theindicatorsareunderpinnedbyextensiveresearchandarelinkedtoeconomicperformance.

ThevalueofVSAcomesfromrepeatassessmentsovertime,aschangestosoilscanbeslow.Keeparecordofyourassessmentforreference.Theserecordsarevaluableformonitoringimprovementstosoilsbroughtaboutbyachangeinthefarmmanagementsystems,orcapitalinvestmente.g.reducingtillageanddrainage.

VSAprovidesaneffectiveandimmediatewaytoassesssoilqualityquicklyandcheaplyinthefield.

InformationaboutVSAcanbeaccessedat:www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/soil/vsaandyourlocalregionalcouncil.

27.Doyouminimiserun-offanderosionbymatchingyourcultivationstothesoiltypeandlandcontour?Soilcaneitherbelostgraduallythroughwindandwatererosionorrapidlyduringmajorstormevents.Cultivationpracticessuchasstripandnotillagepreservethesoilstructureandreducethelikelihoodoferosion.Matchyourcultivationtothesoiltype;forexample,ifyoufarmonlight,wind-erodiblesoils,reduceyourcultivationintensitytopreventtopsoilbeinglostbywindandwateraction.

28.Doyoucultivateandplantacrossthecontourofslopinggroundratherthanupanddownit?Cultivateandplantalongthecontourorataslightangletoitratherthandirectlydowntheslope.Leavegrassfilterstripsacrosssteepslopestoslowwater


flowandhelpdepositsedimentsbeforetheygetintowaterways.Contourcultivationprovidesbenefitsinlowrainfallareasbyslowingrun-offandincreasingabsorptionintothesoil.

Sedimenttrapsatthebaseofslopescanbeusedtocontainrun-offandpreventoff-siteimpacts.Howevertheyrequireregularmaintenanceanderodedsoilmustberemovedandspreadbackontotheland.

29.Doyouhavedrainagesystemsforyourheavy-mediumsoils?Ineffectivedrainageinheavysoilscancausewater-loggingandlossofsoilstructure.Anaerobicconditionsalsoexacerbatenitrousoxideemissions.

Signsofineffectivedrainageinclude:• Ponding.• Slowdryingwithsoilmottlingorange/greycolours.• Quickreturntoawaterloggedstate.• Patchesofpoorcropgrowth–plantsmayhave yellowleaves,indicatingnitrogendeficiency.• Restrictedrooting.• Increasedpestanddiseasedamage.

Poorlydrained,waterloggedsoilsaremorelikelytobecomecompacted.Thebestremediationisthroughdrainageandsecondarytreatmentssuchassub-soiling.Sub-soilersshatterandcrackcompactlayersimprovingdrainage.Themosteffectivetimetodothisiswhenthesoilisdrying.

30.Doyoursoilmanagementsystemsmaintainthesoilstructuretopreventpondingduringrainandirrigation?Pondingoccurswhenexcesswaterflowstolowlying,poordrainingpartsofthepaddock.Itisanindicationthattherainorwaterapplicationratefromtheirrigator,inmm/hr,isgreaterthantheabilityofthesoiltoabsorbit(infiltrationrate).Pondinghasadetrimentaleffectoncrop,thesoilbecomesanaerobicandrootsdie.Run-offfrompondedareascarriessoilsedimentsandnutrientsintowaterways,withnegativeimpactsforwaterquality.

31.Doyouusereducedtillagetechniqueswheneverpossible?Reducedtillagehasanumberofeconomicandenvironmentalbenefits.Thebenefitstothesoilincludelesscompaction,bettertrafficabilityandimprovedresiliencetoextremeweatherimpacts,suchasdroughtandheavyrainevents.Lesstimeonthetractorforcultivationequatestoeconomicgainsthroughimprovedmachineryandlabourutilisationanddirectsavingsfromreduceddieselusage.

Otherbenefitstothefarmsystemarereducedfallowtimesandtheutilisationofcropresiduesforweedmanagement.Farmersalsoneedtobeawareofpotentialnegatives,suchasincreasedpressurefromestablishmentpestsandthebuild-upofgrassweedsovertime.RefertoFARFocus-NonInversionAgronomy:GuidelinesforsuccessfulreducedtillageandFARFocus5-GrasstoCrop.

32.Doyoumanageanygrazingstocktopreventpuggingandcompaction?Keepstockoffwetsoilswhereverpossible.Intensivegrazingcancausepugging,compactionandlossofsoilquality.Thiswillaffectdrainageandincreaserun-offlosses.Thesoilwillneedmoreworktogetagoodseedbedforyournextcrop.Overtimeexcessivecultivationreducessoilstructureandsoilorganicmatter.

Damagecanbeminimisedbyconsideringwhenthelivestockwillbeontheland.Grazewetterpaddocksinthedrierpartoftheseasonoruselighterstockonwetpaddocks.Maintaingoodpasturecoverandmovestockbeforetheystripitdowntotheroots.Removeheavystocktoafeedpadforpartoftheday.RefertoDairyNZ’sfactsheetformoreinformation:www.dairynz.co.nz/file/fileid/37481.

33.Doyouremovecompactedorpuggedareasbeforeestablishingthenextcrop?Puggedsoilshave:• Poordrainage.• Poorplantgrowth.• Higherfertiliserrequirements.• Moretopsoilandcontaminantrun-offtowaterways.

Beforebeginninganyremediation,digaseriesofholesdownto0.5m,tolookforsurfacecrustingandcompactedlayersthroughtheprofile.Choosethecorrectremediationoptionbasedonthelevelofdamagetoyoursoil.Cultivationandaerationoperationsaeratethesoiltoadepthof150-200mm.Sub-soilingshattersdeepersubsoillayerstodepthsof200-350mmenablingdeeperrootgrowth.

34.Doyouusecovercropswhenrestingpaddocksinyourcroprotations?Wintergrassorcovercropshavemanyadvantages.Theycanprovideasourceofwinterfeedforstock.Theyreducesoilerosionandmopupanyexcessnutrientstherebyreducingleachinglossestotheenvironment.Deeprootingcovercropslikebrassicascanimprovecompactiondamageandincreasethesoil’spermeability.Legumesfixatmosphericnitrogenwhichbecomesavailableoncethecovercropisworkedin.


Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfromgettingintowater36.Doyouhavearesource-consenttoirrigateandifso,doyoumeettherequirementsofthisconsent?Checkwithyourlocalcounciltofindoutwhattheirirrigationconsentrulesare.

Theconsentrequirementswilldifferbetweenregionalcouncils,andpossiblybetweencatchmentswithinaregion.Itisyourresponsibilitytobefamiliarwiththerulesforyourregion.

Councilsneedtoknowwhenandhowmuchwaterisbeingusedtobeabletomanagetheresourceinafairandefficientway.Theycloselymonitorsurfaceandgroundwaterquantitiesandwillpenaliseanybreachesoftheconsentconditions.

37.Haveyouinstalledwatermeters?TheGovernmenthasmadewatermeteringmandatoryforallwaterusersextractingover5l/s.

Thedeadlineforcompliancedependsonyourallowedrateoftake:• 20litrespersecondormore: nolaterthan10November2012.• 10litrespersecondupto20litrespersecond: nolaterthan10November2014.• 5litrespersecondupto10litrespersecond: nolaterthan10November2016.

38.Isyourirrigationmanagedtooptimiseefficiencyandreducerun-off?Irrigationneedstobeefficientandeffectiveotherwisethecoststofarmbusinessandtheenvironmentarehigh.Under-wateringcausesreducedcropyieldsandover-wateringisawasteofwaterandmaycausenutrientstobelostthroughleachingandrunoff.Thisrequiresgoodsystemdesign,installation,operationandmaintenance.

Goodirrigationpracticesensurethereislittlechanceofdrainageandtheplantgrowthisoptimised.Optimisingplantgrowthoptimisesnutrientuptakeandtheriskofnutrientleachingisreduced.

Whenbuyinganewirrigator,ensurethatthecommissioningofthesystemincludesanirrigationaudittoensuretheprescribedstandardsarebeingmet.

Anirrigationauditidentifieshowefficientlyanirrigationsystemisworkingbycheckinghowwellthesystemisperformingandhowwellitisbeingmanaged.Performancecheckscovertheuniformityofthewaterdistributionandwillconsiderfiltrationandpumpefficiency.Managementcheckscovertheapplicationvolumesandtimingandmayincludeverifyingthattheregulatoryrequirementsarebeingmet.

39.Doyouusetoolssuchassoilmoisturemonitoring,orsoilwaterbudgetstoscheduleirrigation?Determiningwhenandhowmuchirrigationtoapplyisimportantforanumberofreasons.• Droughtstresscostsyield:Yieldandmoneyis savedwhenirrigationisscheduledbeforethecrop isincriticalmoisturedeficit.• Irrigationiscostly:Irrigatingbeforeitisnecessary, orapplyingtoomuchwater,orwaterinthewrong place,isawasteofmoney.• Irrigationmaycauseleaching:Nitrogenandother watersolublenutrientsmaybeleachedoutofthe rootzoneiftoomuchwaterisapplied.Deep rootingcerealsandmaizehaveabetter opportunitytousenutrientsfromdepththan shallowrootedcrops,suchaspastureandclover.

Giventheinvestmentinirrigationandthepotentialcostsofgettingitwrong,itisworthinvestingintoolsforschedulingirrigation.Therearemanyoptions,includingsoilmoisturebudgets,soilmoisturemonitoringtools,softwaresuchastheWheatCalculatorandAquaTRAC,oracomprehensiveprofessionalsoilmoisturemonitoringandschedulingservice(seeresources).

40.Doesthewaterinfiltrateyoursoils,withoutleavinganysurfaceponding?Compactedandpoorlydrainedsoilshaveareducedabilitytosoakupwater.Ifirrigatedwaterisappliedtooquicklyforabsorption,itwillrun-offandcollectinthelowpointsofthepaddock,causingponding.Heavyrainbehavesinthesameway.Pondingisanindicatorofdrainageproblemswhichmaybeduetocompactionorchangesinthesoiltypewithinthepaddock.Pondingmayoccursomedistancefromtheproblem.Identifyandremediatetheproblemormatchthewaterapplicationratetotheareaswiththeslowestinfiltration.

41.Doyouapplylessthan50mmofirrigationinanyoneapplication?Thesoil’scapacitytostorewaterisaffectedbyitsporosity,textureandstructure.Stonyandsandysoilsandthosewithloworganicmatterhavepoorwaterstorage.Oncethesoilreachesfieldcapacity,itcanholdnomoreanddrainageoccurs.Understandingthewater-holdingcapacityofyoursoilsisimportantformanagingirrigation.


Irrigationvolumeshouldbetargetedtosupplywateronlytotherootzone,withnodrainagebelowit.Theamountofsoilwateravailabletoplantsisgovernedbythedepthofsoilthattherootscanexploreandthenatureofthesoilmaterial.Over-irrigatingwithlargevolumesofwater,sothereisdrainagebelowtherootzone,isawasteofwaterandmoney.

Deepsoilmoisturemonitoring(e.g.byneutronprobe)willshowyouhowfartheirrigationwaterismovinginthesoilprofileandthedepthitisbeingtakenupfrom.

42.Doyouregularlycheckfor,andrepairleaksandworncomponentsinyoursystem?Leakscancomefromsplitpipesorpoorconnections.Waterleakingfromthesystemisacostandmaycauseponding,erosion,runoffandleaching.

Wornnozzlesarelikeleakypipes;theydecreasethesystem’sefficiencyandincreasetheenergydemands.

Anirrigationauditwillcheckfortheseproblems.

Aminorimprovementinirrigationefficiencycanresultinmajorincreasesinavailablewaterandthecostbenefitofirrigation.

Waterways43.Doyouleavea2mmarginbetweenyourcultivationandanywaterway(excludesephemeralstreams)?Waterwaysaresensitivetonutrientcontaminationfromsurfacerun-off.Atwometrebufferzone,preferablygrassed,reducestheriskofsedimentsenteringwaterways.Steeperslopeswithfasterrun-offwillneedwiderbufferzones.Manyregionalplansstipulatetherequirementforbufferzonesforsedimentcontrol.

44.Doyouhaveriparianplantingsonwaterwayboundaries?Riparianbufferzonesarevegetatedareasalongtheedgesofwaterbodies.Theyactasbufferstoprotectsurfacewatersfromcontaminationfromrun-offandprotectthestreambanksfromerosion.Riparianplantsprovidehabitatsforavarietyofbirdsandinsects.Caremustbetakeninselectingspeciesforplantingtoensuretheywillnotincreasetheriskoffloodingorbehostsforpestsanddiseasesofyourcrops.

Yourregionalcouncilhasinformationaboutriparianmanagement.

45.Doyouhavedrainsand/orusecontouringtoeliminatethemovementofwateracrossyourpaddocksduringheavyrain?

46.Doyouhavegrassfiltrationstripsaroundthepaddockboundariesandatwaterwayedgestocatchsediments?Surfacerun-offfromyourpaddocksindicatesthattherainfallorirrigationrateisfasterthantheabsorptionrateofthesoil.Whenthishappensthewaterponds

onthesoilsurfaceandgravitydetermineswhereitendsup.Surfacewaterflowingtowater-wayscarriessedimentandnutrientswithit.Topsoilerosionisahighcosttoproductivityandsedimentsareharmfultofreshwaterecosystems.

Identifywheresurfacerunoffislikelytooccurandtakestepstominimiseitbyleavinggrassbuffersaroundthewater-waystoslowsurfacewatermovementandtrapsediments.

Contourdrainsrunacrossslopestobreakrun-offflowdowntheslope.

TheFranklinSustainabilityProject–soilanddrainagemanagementguidehasgoodinformationaboutminimisingsedimentlosses.

www.arc.govt.nz/albany/fms/main/Documents/Environment/Rural%20care/Franklin%20Sustainability%20Project.pdf.

47.Isfertiliserpreventedfromenteringwaterduringspreading?Fertilisermustnotbeapplieddirectlyintotowaterwaysunderanycircumstances.Aclearbufferzoneisrequiredbetweentheapplicationzoneandthewater.

Itishighrisktoapplyfertiliserwithinbufferzones.Surfacerun-offfrompaddockscanflowintowater-wayscausingwaterqualityissues.Useheadlandmanagementsystemsonyourfertiliserspreaderwhenspreadingnearwaterways.

48.Areyourstreamanddrainbanksfreefromerosion?Theadverseeffectsoferosiontowaterwayscanbeminimisedbystabilisingstreambanks.Soillostfromerodingbanksincreasesthesedimentloadofthewatermakingitmurky.Nutrientssuchasphosphorusandnitrogenstimulatealgalgrowthandmaybetoxictofishandhumans.Unstablewaterwayedgescanbeprotectedbyplantingriparianstripswithsuitablevegetationand/orfencingtoexcludestock.

49.Isthewaterfromsub-surfacedrainspreventedfromflowingdirectlyintoawaterways?Sub-surfacedrainsreducerun-offandsoilpuggingbutcantransportnutrientsandmicro-organismsdirectlyintowaterways.Wherepossibledesignyoursub-surfacedrainstodischargeintowetlandsorfilterstrips,notdirectlyintoopenwater-ways.

50.Arestockexcludedfromwaterways?Ifstockhaveaccesstostreamanddrainbankstheywillcausedamageanderosion.Iftheyhaveaccesstothewatertheywilladdlargeamountsoffaecalpollution.Fencedwaterwayspreventstockaccessandreducestocklosses.


6.AppendicesFactsheets• Drainage

• SoilWater

• IrrigationAudits

AppendicesFactsheets24 AppendicesFactsheets

DrainageGooddrainagesystemsquicklyremoveexcesssurfaceandsub-surfacewaterfromthepaddock.Aneffectivedrainagesystemwillremoveexcesssoilwaterwithin24hoursoftherainfallevent.Agoodtimetoassesstheneedsonyourfarmisafteraheavyraineventwhenproblemswithpondingandrun-offareeasytosee.

Thereareanumberofoptionsavailabletoimprovedrainage,including:• Re-shapingthelayoutorcontourofthepaddock.• Improvingsurfacedrainagetoremovesurface waterquicklyfromcroppedareas.• Installingsubsurfacedrainagetoremovewater fromsaturatedsoilsbydownwardflow.

PlanningAfarmdrainagesystemrequirescarefulplanningtooptimisethecapitalexpenditure.Asuccessfulschemewillconsidersthesefactors:1. Whatiscausingthewater-loggingproblem?Isit fromsurfaceorsubsurfacewaterorboth?Where isthewatercomingfrom?2. Whatisthefrequencyanddurationofwater loggingandhowbigistheaffectedarea?Is remediationapriorityforon-goingprofitability?3. Istheresufficientoutfallavailable?Waterneedsto bedrainedawaytosomewhereelse,preferablyby gravitationalflow,otherwiseitbecomesacostly exerciseinvolvingpumps.Aretheoutfalldrains wellmaintainedanddeepenoughtoremove waterquickly?4. Whatarethelikelybenefits?Willthecostofthe drainageschemebereturnedthroughincreased productivityandhowlongwillittake?5. Whichareasshouldbedrainedfirst?Efficiency andcostsavingscanbegainedbyconsideringthe drainageplanforthewholefarmandworkingout whichpartshouldbetackledfirst.6. Whattypeofdrainagesystemisrequired?7. DoIneedassistancetodevelopaplan?

Reshaping

Precision levelling using high accuracy GPS.

Otheroptionsincludeensuringsurfacecontourallowseffectivewatermovement.Precisionlandlevellingisusefulinremovingdepressionsinpaddockswherepondingisaproblem.Bundedheadlandscanpreventwaterflowingintothecropandcultivationmethodssuchasfurrowdikingreducerun-offbyslowingthewatermovementalongwheeltracks.

SurfacedrainsSurfacedrainsareusefulforinterceptingrun-offfromneighbouringhigherareasanddrainingsurfacewateroffthelandquickly.Theyalsocollectwaterfromsub-surfacedrains.Surfacedrainsincludeditches,drainsandgrassedwaterways.Theymustberegularlymaintainedtokeepthemflowingandmaybeahazardformachineryandanimals.Caremustbetakentopreventbankerosionanddamagefromstockaccess.

Subsurfacedrains

Installing sub-surface drainage with gravel envelope.

Subsurfacedrainsremoveexcesswaterfromthesoilprofilevianetworksofperforatedplastictubes,(tile-drains)orunlinedchannels(mole-drains),installedbelowthesoilsurface.Waterdrainsintothetubesorchannelsandflowsawaytoasurfacedrain.

Moledrainscanonlybemadeinheavysoilswithaclaysub-soil.Longlastingchannelsneedaclaycontentof30-35%.Theyaremadebypullingaripperbladeormoleploughthroughthesubsoilandrelyonthesoilstructuretosupportandkeepthechannelopen.Ideallythesoilshouldbefreeofstonesatthemoledraindepth.

Useanexperienceddrainagecontractortoassistwiththedevelopmentofyourdrainageplan.

EnvironmentalconcernsDrainagehasbothpositiveandnegativeeffectsonwaterquality.Ingeneral,landwithgoodsub-surfacedrainagehaslesssurfacerun-off,erosion,andphosphorusloss,thanlandthathasnodrainageimprovementsoronlysurfacedrainage.Howeversub-surfacedrainageisasignificantrouteforwatersolublenutrientslikenitratestoreachfreshwater.

Wetlandsareanimportantpartofadrainagesystem.Theyhavearoleinregulatingwaterflowandmaintainingwaterquality,aswellasprovidinghabitatforwater-basedwildlife.

Constructedwetlandsareasimple,practicaltoolfarmerscanusetointercepttiledrainagewatertoreducenutrientlosses.

NIWA’spublication;NewZealandGuidelinesforConstructedWetlandTreatmentofTileDrainage,guidesfarmersonhowtodevelopaneffectivewetlandontheirfarmandprovidesguidanceonwetlandplanting,weedcontrolandmaintenance.

AppendicesFactsheets 25AppendicesFactsheets

SoilwaterSoilholdswaterlikeasponge.Itsoaksitupuntilitcanholdnomore,thenitdrains.Theamountthatcanbeheldisthewater-holdingcapacityofthatsoilandisrelatedtosoiltextureandstructure.Coarsetexturedsoilshavelowwaterstorageandfastdrainage.Siltsandclaysretainmorewateranddrainmoreslowly.

Well-structuredsoilshavenetworksofinter-connectingporeswhichenablewatertoinfiltrateanddraineasily.Compactedsoilshavefewerspacesforthewaterandtheflowratethroughitisslower.Thesesoilstendtopondwhenitrainsbecausetheirinfiltrationispoor.Asoil’sinfiltrationrateistherateatwhichitisabletoabsorbrainfallorirrigation.

Thesoil’swaterholdingcapacityWaterisheldinthesoilinthemacroandmicroporesbetweenthesoilparticles.Whenalltheporesarefullthesoilissaturated.Ifmorewaterisaddeditdrainsoutundertheforceofgravity.Thisisdrainage.

Afteradayortwo,themacroporesempty.Microporesareabletoholdwateragainstgravitysoarestillfull.AtthisstagethesoilissaidtobeatFieldCapacity.

Waterisheldintheporesbycapillaryaction,thesmallerthepore,themoretightlyitisheld.

WateravailabilityforthecropPlantsaccesseasy-to-getwaterfirst,butasthesoildries,capillaryforcesbecometoostrongfortheplant.ThisistermedStressPoint,beyondwhichgrowthisslowedandyieldislost.Plantswillsurvivebutbecomeincreasinglystressed.

Atacertainlevel,plantscangetnomorewaterandbecomepermanentlywilted.ThisisthePermanentWiltingPoint.

TheamountofwaterinasoilthatsupportsmaximumplantgrowthisknownasReadilyAvailableWater.ItisthedifferencebetweenFieldCapacityandtheStressPoint.

Efficientirrigationschedulingbalancesthecropdemandforwaterwiththesoilsupply.Thecropgetsenoughwatertoreachitsyieldpotentialandthereisnowaste.

EfficientandeffectiveirrigationkeepswaterintherootzonebetweenFieldCapacityandStressPoint.Plantgrowthismaximisedandtheriskofrun-offandleachingarereduced.

Applythewaterattherightrateandintherightplace.Applicationrateshouldnotexceedtheinfiltrationrateoftheslowestsoilsinthepaddock.Ifitdoes,run-offandpondingwilloccur.Timingofirrigationisalsoimportant.Soilmoisturemonitoringkeepstrackoftheavailablewaterandthewatershouldbeappliedbeforethecrop’sstresspointisreached.

Wilted maize.

AppendicesFactsheets26 AppendicesFactsheets

IrrigationauditsAnirrigationauditorassessesandreportsontheperformanceofthesystem.

Twomainaspectsofefficiencyareconsidered:1. Theperformanceofthesystem,includingan assessmentofthedistributionuniformityof thewaterandchecksonpumpandfiltration performance.2. Themanagementofthesystem,focussingonthe timinganddepthofirrigationsandthesystem’s maintenance.

Theauditreportprovidesrecommendationsforimprovementstotheefficiencyofthesystembasedontheauditfindings.Newsystemsshouldbeauditedbeforecommissioningtocheckthatthecontractspecificationshavebeenmet.

Distributionuniformity(DU)calculateshowevenlywaterisappliedtothepaddockduringanirrigationevent.Itisexpressedasa%,wherethehigherthevalue,themoreeventhedistribution.AhighDUdependsfirstlyonthesystemdesignandinstallation.Badlydesignedsystemsdoapoorjobateachrunandcostirrigatorsmoney.Thesecondconsiderationishowwellthesystemperforms.TheDUwilldecreaseifthereblockagesandleaks,andifapplicationratesexceedthesoil’sabilitytoabsorbthewater.

TheauditmeasuresforDUcalculationare:• Pressurechecks,acrossthesystem.• Waterdeliveryacrossthesystem,viacatch cans,forflowrateand/orspraypatterns.• Nozzleandemitterperformance.• Visualobservationofleaks,runoff,soiltype, andothersystemspecificproblems.

EnergyefficiencyEnergyEfficiencyisimportantbecauseofthedirectcostofenergylosses.Theauditorwillcheckpumps,motors,pressureregulatorsandfilters.Itisimportantthatpumpsandmotorsaretherightsizeforthesystem.Iftheyaretoobigtheywilloperateoutsidetheirefficiencyrangeandpoweriswasted.Ifbothareinefficienttheeffectismultipliedandthelossescanbelarge.Manysystemshavetoomanypressureregulators.Dirtyandblockedfiltersandnozzlesreduceefficiencyandcostmoney.

IrrigationschedulingIrrigationschedulingisanimportantaspectofirrigationmanagement,applyingenoughwaterwhenit’sneededensuresgoodcropyieldsandreduceswaste.Theauditorwillcheckhowtheirrigationsarebeingscheduled.Schedulingdependsonknowing;• Thesoil’savailablemoisturestatus.• Howfasttheavailablewaterisbeingused,through cropuptakeandbyevapotranspiration.• Howmuchwaterisbeingeffectivelyapplied.

WateruseefficiencyWaterUseEfficiencyorapplicationefficiency(AE)istheratiobetweentheamountofirrigationwatereffectivelyusedbythecropandtheamountthatwasapplied(lessthechangeinsoilmoisturestorage).Itisaffectedbyboththedistributionuniformityandirrigationscheduling.

Over-wateringisthemostlikelycauseofwaterlossinanyirrigationsystem,soschedulingisimportantforhighefficiencies.

Theirrigationauditcanassessaone-offapplicationforefficiency,buttrackingefficiencyovertheseasonrequiresgoodrecord-keeping.Criticalinformationincludesirrigationeventdates,durations,watervolumeapplied,andrainfallfigures.

AppendicesFactsheets 27AppendicesFactsheets

AcknowledgementsFundersFARwouldliketoacknowledgefundingsupportfromtheMPISustainableFarmingFund(MPISFF)forthispublication.

AuthorsDianaMathers,FAR.AndreaPearson,FAR.

ReviewersGregSneath,Fertresearch.

GraphicdesignMelissaHillmer,BNSDesignandPrint.

PhotographsPaulJohnstoneandDirkWallace,PlantandFoodResearch.DanBloomer,LandWISEInc.

A D D I N G V A L U E T O T H E B U S I N E S S O F A R A B L E F A R M I N G ™

Foundation for Arable Research PO Box 23133 Templeton, Christchurch 8445 New Zealand Phone: +64 3 345 5783 Fax: +64 3 341 7061 Email: [email protected] Web: www.far.org.nz

FAR FocusISSN 1175-5504

Nutrient Management Plans ISBN 978-0-9876673-0-4

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