Upper Waikato nutrient efficiency study
Report: TR 2014/18
Author: AgFirst Consultants Central Ltd
About this report
In 2006, Waikato Regional Council identified that agricultural practices were contributing to rising nutrient levels within the region's waterways. In response, they launched a three-year intensive policy implementation process, the Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) pilot project. The objective of the pilot project was to gain an understanding of nutrient management in the farm setting and investigate the potential effectiveness of ICM approaches in achieving sustainable improvements in water quality.
This report assesses the current nutrient use efficiency of a selection of farms in the Upper Waikato Catchment, and identifies options for further efficiency gains and their associated costs to the farm business.
Read or download the report
Upper Waikato nutrient efficiency study [PDF, 1.7 MB]
| Contents |
| Executive summary and recommendations |
| List of tables |
| Introduction |
| Present situation |
| Pressure within the Upper Waikato Catchment |
| Methodology |
| Economic summary of low nutrient scenarios |
| Economic impact of change on organic properties |
| Summary of impacts of change due to compliance |
| Discussion |
| Strategies used when comparing current with proposed models |
| Behaviour and feedback |
| Trend to higher intensity systems (dairy) |
| Conclusion: tailoring the message |
| Sheep, beef and deer summary |
| Appendix: Individual case study information |
| Glossary of KPIs used |
| Terms |