Good farm management

Report: TR 2000/16

Author: Helen Ritchie

This is a summary of the report “Good Farm Management?”, written for Waikato Regional Council to review resource management issues in hill country farmland. The review is not official Waikato Regional Council policy. It is designed to stimulate discussion about the most appropriate responses to hill country issues.

Hill country farming is a complex and risky business, and MAF surveys indicate that a significant percentage of hill country farms in the King Country are currently not profitable. Hill country land use also affects downstream human use and ecosystems. This review focusses on these issues and their significance for the Waikato Region.

The method for this project included a literature review, consultation with researchers with relevant expertise, and discussions with staff in councils. As such, the views of hill country farmers and other affected parties are not fully represented, but where their interests and perspectives are documented elsewhere, they have been included. Recommendations are aimed primarily at Waikato Regional Council, but on-farm management options are also identified for each issue.