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Hi there @DavidParkerMP, my name's Bruce. You probably don't even personally read these but I'm reaching out anyway. My family & i are lifelong dairy farmers in West Otago in the lower south island. We treasure our cows & our land like 99% of farmers in this Country. I'm just
Getting in touch with you regarding some of your new "Laws" you've put in place for farmers. We are all seeking an improvement in water quality, & I'd argue that the water quality & farming practices have markedly improved in our area,like most of the country, over the last 5
Years due to the creation of numerous community run "catchment groups". There is great concern amongst southern farmers about the laws surrounding winter cropping/grazing. A lot of the new laws are almost un-farmable & even Environment Southland are struggling to interrupt them
A lot of the topography in Southland & Otago is of "rolling" contour,much of it greater than 10 degrees,witch we are unable to crop under the new laws. 15-20 degrees would have been workable. A number of Winter graziers probably won't or will be unable to take cattle this winter
Because of the new rules,which is their personal decision of course. A large drop in their income because of this. These cattle still have to go somewhere during winter,so where do you suggest they are wintered?
The pugging rule is absolutely absurd as even on grass paddocks the
The pugging rule is absolutely absurd as even on grass paddocks the
New laws are easily broken. We personally winter "big" bulls,avg weight 600kg each, on winter crop as part of our journey towards"zero bobby calves". It has been a kind winter in the south this year & even they,due to their sheer size & weight, have pigged parts of their paddock
It is almost unavoidable,even on a grass paddock, to not pug to some degree during winter in the south with heavy stock. Does this law include lagging made by machinery entering the paddock aswell?? This particular rule is totally unworkable. Having to gain consent for these
Activities going forward is of HUGE concern for farmers. Environment Southland has already publicly stated 90 consents needing processed in the time frame required is going to be an extremely heavy workload for them,but the number required is estimated to be 1500+. Which gives
Nobody any confidence in the process or the system. We farm to the weather,not to a timeclock. A consent held up in the office can drastically reduce the success of a crop grown due to timing & have a flow on affect for the farmer in the months ahead. I have no alignment
To Federated Farmers,DairyNZ,etc, this is being spoken from my heart about the concern that your new laws have gone too far,too soon & will greatly impact the farming industry in the south,in particular the dairy Industry. I am very happy for you to visit me in person at any
Point in time and we can go for a walk round our farm and I can point out the practical steps we (and most other farmers) are taking to mitigate any environmental issues that are of concern for you. We have nothing to hide,we just want to be left to get on with what we do best
And that is to help feed the world.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you in the near future so we can organise a time to meet next time you're in the south so we can discuss the issue further.
Enjoy your Thursday Mr Parker.
Regards
Bruce the West Otago farmer
Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you in the near future so we can organise a time to meet next time you're in the south so we can discuss the issue further.
Enjoy your Thursday Mr Parker.
Regards
Bruce the West Otago farmer
