Manawatu River improving is encouraging

Federated Farmers is thrilled by the improving health of the Manawatu River. A detailed report for the Manawatu River Leaders Forum reveals that the first three years of the clean up have been a success.

“This report is a huge boost for the farming community,” says Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers Manawatu-Rangitikei provincial president.

“While improvements in water quality aren’t able to be measured overnight, we are seeing a downward trend already in nutrient and e-coli levels. With 93 percent compliance and climbing in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region, this improving trend will only continue.

“What we can measure is the actions of our community and the numbers are so encouraging it’s something the farming community can take pride in. Well over 100 kilometres of waterways have been fenced, over 60,000 plants planted for erosion control and riparian margins, as well as farm plans and mapping well under way.

“There is great encouragement for farmers in knowing their efforts and investments are paying off, and the investment is not just economic. It is in the culture change and shift in farmers mind-set of how we farm.

“100 percent of Manawatu-Wanganui dairy farms have moved away from directly discharging effluent into waterways and have shifted to land-based nutrient treatments as well as completing farm/nutrient management plans. Farmers are quickly coming up to speed with the scientific skills required to do their job today.

“This is not just happening in our region it is happening throughout the country and this report should act as encouragement for other regions that the results will come,” concluded Mr Hoggard.

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