Dairy Farming

Dairy remains as a significant and top export earner (45%) within the primary production sector in New Zealand. However, excessive use of fertiliser-N (above 100 kg N/ha) has been causing increasing nitrate-N in the freshwater ecosystem.

For information on Nutrient Management, Water Use, Pesticide Use, Energy Use and Solid Wastes, please go to NZ Farming on this web.

July 30, 2026

Dairy Farming Continued

Current dairy products export value is $28.5 billion which has increased by 385% from 2001 ($7.4 billion) to 2026. Dairying export is 45% of all primary product exports.

July 30, 2026

Farm dairy effluent

Farm owners, managers, sharemilkers and farm workers should consider farm dairy effluent as a valuable resource. The philosophy of farm dairy effluent disposal should be replaced with that of obtaining maximum benefits from this valuable resource. Consider effluent application on the basis of K loading than N to avoid magnesium deficiency in pasture.

July 30, 2026

Waterway Management

There is increasing pressure globally and locally to maintain and improve water quality and use water wisely. Waterway management in the context of habitat enhancement should be a key component of farm planning & management and sustainability. Without proactive effort and targeted investment and maintenance, reactive actions may be needed to comply with regulations.

July 30, 2026

RMA Compliance

Understanding your compliance requirements at all levels of farm operation is the first step towards the Resource Management Act (RMA) compliance.

July 30, 2026

Consequences of not complying

While bearing up with the negative consequences the key is to not to repeat previous non-compliance and to take measures to prevent it in future. Apart from causing harm to the environment,