Mapping crops for freshwater

Out ‘in the field’ over the next few weeks, Council’s environmental services team are busy searching for winter crops grown for animal feed.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who plants crops such as brassica, lucerne, kale, oats, fodder beet and plantains for the purpose of animal feeding.”

“We’re mapping the area of land in our region that is planted specifically for break-feeding stock,” says shared services science manager Lois Easton.

“Information on where crops are grown, what is grown and how often will highlight trends and tell us where stock are feeding in proximity to waterways.”

The proposed Freshwater Plan for the Gisborne region is due to be notified in October.

“The proposed Plan identifies potential rules for excluding stock from within 5 – 10 meters of a waterway where break-feeding is occurring,

The rule would come into effect from 1 July 2017.”

“We want to know more about how land is used in our region.

“So we’re conducting physical site visits and recording locations and crop types as well as asking farmers to send us some information.

“The information we collect will be used to monitor waterways in these areas, help to develop Farm Environment Plans and also inform the local farming community on crop types and trends.

The winter crop survey is available to complete online at www.gdc.govt.nz/winter-crop-survey/ or contact dionne.hartley@gdc.govt.nz for more information.

ENDS

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