Farm Environment Plan

The farm consists of a stock finishing unit.
The topography is predominantly rolling but with limited critical source areas and the land management units reflect the topography.
The property is in the Waitaki Valley so experiences hot summers, strong westerlies on occasion, and cold winters.
Irrigation is via pivots only with the balance as dry land and has undergone significant development to optimally utilise the available water across the farm at low rates to match the requirements of a given crop.

Soils and Nutrients

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 4B, 5A and 6
Objectives:(1) Use nutrients efficiently and minimise nutrient losses to water.(1) Nitrogen losses from farming activities are at or below the:(a) Baseline GMP Loss Rate or Good Management Practice Loss Rate (whichever is thelesser); or
Targets:(b) consented nitrogen loss limits.(2) Available nitrogen loss mitigation measures (excluding those associated with irrigation,fertiliser or effluent management) are implemented.(3) Phosphorus and sediment losses from farming activities are minimised.(4) Manage the amount, timing and application of fertiliser inputs to match the predicted plantrequirements and minimise nutrient losses(5) Store and load fertiliser to minimise the risk of spillage, leaching and loss into water bodies.

Downland Farms is managed to minimise the amount of nutrient that escapes the farm and becomes a pollutant, and to maximise the nutrient that stays within the root zone of the plants as a resource. Infiltration rate is optimised to minimise runoff.

An Overseer nutrient budget has been prepared in accordance with condition 12a of the resource consent and a summary of budgets is available.

Crop records.

Critical Source Areas are managed by only grazing when dry, using a 5m buffer if wet, and monitoring for run off.

The aim is to maintain good soil structure by using the relevant cultivation practices for the given situation and minimise the period of soil exposure to wind and rain erosion.

P applications don't exceed 100kg P/ha and not spread in Jun or July. Waterways are avoided and run off points are monitored.
Minimum tillage cultivation is used where soil conditions allow, and if full cultivation is necessary slopes are worked across. Steep areas are avoided where possible and weather forecasts are considered when deciding on cultivation timing. Care is taken not to work soil into fine aggregate sizes and a 5m buffer is maintained to waterways. There is minimal delay between cultivation and sowing to minimise the time that soil is exposed.
Waterways are protected by fencing, vegetative strips and stock crossings.
Pugging prevention is achieved by giving larger breaks in wet conditions and stock are allowed to leave longer residuals. Young grass is grazed only briefly and in dry conditions only to minimise damage to the softer soil.
Soil Type:
S-Map

Kauru

Ngapara

Fertiliser is spread by contractors with Spreadmark certification and GPS proof of placement.
Agronomist recommendations support decision making.
Nitrogen applications are kept below 190kg with a limit in the FLU consent of 19kg N loss per year.
A winter grazing plan mitigates risk while on crop.

Irrigation Management Plan

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5B
Objective:The amount and timing of irrigation is managed to meet plant demands, minimise risk of leachingand runoff and ensure efficient water use.Targets:(1) New irrigation systems are designed and installed in accordance with industry codes ofpractice and standards.(2) The performance of irrigation systems is assessed annually and irrigation systems aremaintained and operated to apply irrigation water at their optimal efficiency.(3) The timing and depth of irrigation water applied takes account of crop requirements and isjustified through soil moisture monitoring or soil water budgets and climatic information.(4) Staff are trained in the operation, maintenance and use of irrigation systems.

Irrigation Design

Irrigation is by means of centre pivot in accordance with consent condition 11c, avoid the use of water onto non-productive land such as impermeable surfaces and river or stream riparian strips. There are no historic sites that require setbacks under condition 20.

Condition 14 of the resource consent states that all new irrigation infrastructures shall be designed and accredited by a qualified professional, and installed in accordance with the accredited design which is satisfied by the use of Collin Bullard to install and maintain pivots. The design shall take into account the specific requirements of the property's soil types which is discussed under irrigation scheduling in the next section.

Irrigation Scheduling

Consent condition 11a states that the consent holder shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the volume of water used for irrigation does not exceed that required for the soil to reach field capacity. A calibrated handheld probe is used to measure soil moisture before irrigation is started, or restarted after rain to ensure soil moisture deficit can accommodate the irrigation application from each irrigation type as determined by bucket testing.

The probe is calibrated for Kauru soil which is the dominant soil type on Downland Farms.

Downland Farms Soil Map

Kauru soil has 58mm Profile Available Water to 30cm. For a pasture rooting depth of 300mm the Readily Available Water is 29mm.

Ngapara sandy loam has a Profile Available Water of 48mm to a depth of 30cm so the Readily Available Water is 24mm.

Pivots apply water at a low rate within the capabilities of these soils. Irrigation applications are managed only by Errol and are recorded in a hard copy diary while rainfall records have been kept electronically:

Rainfall Record 2023-24

Rainfall Record 2024-25

Consent condition 2: Water may be taken at a rate not exceeding 104 litres per second, with a volume not exceeding 1,249,136 cubic metres between the 1st July and the following 30th June. This is monitored by Watermetrics.
Consent condition 3 states cessation flows and restrictions.
Flow data for last two seasons.

Irrigation Water Optimisation

Errol has completed an irrigation monitoring and scheduling workshop through Primary Insight and a bucket test workshop with Thelning Systems.

Flow rates are electronically monitored using Watermetrics to comply with resource consent conditions five to eight.

Pivot operators manual is in the door of the control panel.

The water meter is checked five yearly with the next due

Bucket Tests are carried out to assess performance of each pivot with the assistance of Thelning Systems.

Operating Procedures

Check forecast and consider previous rainfall.
Measure soil moisture for irrigation trigger. Trigger at 30% indicated on the HS2. Soil moisture should go no lower than 25% and no higher than 33%. Saturation is 46%.
Check soil temperature when considering irrigation in August and in May.
If above conditions allow then start irrigator.
Record irrigation in book.
Check for leaks or other failures to comply with consent condition 11b, avoid leakage from pipes and structures.

Incident Procedure

Irrigation is monitored between 8am and 5pm daily. CSA's are monitored for run off in passing.

When a leak, run off or ponding is discovered shut water off to leaking line.

Repair, pressure test and continue to monitor before backfilling.

Record in maintenance book.

Maintenance

A summary of maintenance and invoices is available.

Preseason checks are guided by a checklist.

Light maintenance is carried out by farm owner and recorded in a maintenance book.

Heavier maintenance is undertaken by an irrigation company.

End of season checks include draining lines and parking pivots in wind safe spots.

Cultivation and Soil Structure

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5C
Objective: The physical and biological condition of soils is maintained or improved in order to minimise the movement of sediment, phosphorus and other contaminants to waterways. Targets: (1) Farming activities are managed so as to not exacerbate erosion. (2) Farming practices are implemented that optimise infiltration of water into the soil profile and minimise run-off of water, sediment loss and erosion.

Winter grazing plan.

Crop records.

Minimum tillage or direct drilling is used where possible and full cultivation is only used to renovate paddocks when plugged or compacted.

Downland Farms Ltd has a policy of direct drilling where practicable, and where the paddocks do require some cultivation, minimal till is undertaken. Usually the paddocks receive a two spray of glyphosate plus additional companion chemicals before drilling, except where there is minimal grass/weed issues and a one spray will be sufficient. In extreme cases were paddocks have become rutted or pugged, ripping at the least depth to remedy this is used. Maize is planted with a precision drill, usually into minimal tilled paddocks. Fodder beet when grown would be by the same method.

All drilling is undertaken by Michael Wills Contracting Ltd, with paddock preparation work undertaken by farm owner. GMP is to remove as many large stones or limestone from the paddocks, with rolling being undertaken with a heavy roller to minimise damage to following mowers or harvesting equipment.

Care is taken to meet the paddock conditions, with no cultivation being done when the soil moisture level is very dry, and also no machinery is on the paddocks when the soil moisture is high or after heavy rain.

The steeper paddocks on the property have been fenced to minimise any potential erosion issues. These paddock can be kept out of a rotation when there may be a risk such as heavy rain, or if not irrigated, during dry periods.

The property has several wet weather holding paddocks if required.

Waterway and CSA Management

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5E
Objective: Wetlands, riparian areas, springs and the margins of surface waterbodies are managed to avoid damage to the bed and margins of the water body, and to avoid the direct input of nutrients, sediment, and microbial pathogens. Targets: (1) Stock are excluded from waterbodies in accordance with regional council rules or any granted resource consent. (2) Vegetated riparian margins of sufficient width are maintained to minimise nutrient, sediment and microbial pathogen losses to waterbodies. (3) Farm tracks, gateways, water troughs, self-feeding areas, stock camps, wallows and other farming activities that are potential sources of sediment, nutrients and microbial loss are located so as to minimise the risks to surface water quality. (4) Mahinga kai values are protected as a result of measures taken to protect and enhance water quality and stream health.

Condition 17 of the resource consent states that within the irrigated area:

In respect of any natural, permanently flowing, surface water feature, permanent fencing shall be erected in general accordance with the Canterbury Regional Council's "Guide to managing waterways on Canterbury farms" & companion guide "Lowland Plains, Streams and Drains."
Where practicable, riparian planting shall be carried out within fenced areas.
Temporary fencing will be erected when stock are grazing areas of the property where there is access to other waterways, excluded from condition 17(a).
All fencing will be maintained in a good state of repair.

Riparian planting has been planned and undertaken with natives but also with English trees to recognise the Memorial Oaks and the historic ties of the property to military service. Acorns from James Fiddes memorial oak are ecosourced to establish new stands.
Bio-diversity project with Ecan approved, and commenced for wetland area that is not included in any proposed irrigated area. This is for willow removal, replanting and fencing on the Kokoamo Creek.
Maerewhenua District Water Resource Company irrigation race is fenced.
All waterways are fenced.
Stock are temporarily fenced from CSA's in wet conditions.
Tracks, troughs and gateways are maintained to minimise their loss of nutrients and sediment. Water tables are maintained to reduce erosion risk.
Water quality is measured at the Waitaki River Bridge on SH1.

Point Source Management

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5E
Objective: The number and location of pits are managed to minimise risks to health and water quality. Target: (1) All on-farm silage, offal pit and rubbish dump discharges are managed to avoid direct discharges of contaminants to groundwater or surface water.

Pit silage is located on high dry knob.

Offal: The pit is 50m3 or smaller and is designed to prevent surface runoff from entering the pit, dead stock are to be buried in a timely way and are not left in sight of the road. In accordance with regional council requirements, dead stock are buried:

more than 100m from any surface water body or bore used for water abstraction.
more than 100m from the closest property boundary

Waste and by product: only steel and concrete is disposed of by burying on farm.

Household rubbish is disposed of by wheelie bin, or dropping to a transfer station.
Plastics and other chemical products are not burned. AgRecovery collects triple rinsed drums.
Greenwaste, cardboard, and other non-chemical product are burned in accordance with fire season requirements.
Bale wrap, and chemical containers are recycled. Only a minimum of chemical is used to reduce the amount of toxins stored on farm.
Soil, fill and stones used elsewhere for development.

Water Use (Excluding Irrigation Water)

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 5G
Objective: To use water efficiently ensuring that actual use of water is monitored and efficient. Target: (1) Actual water use is efficient for the end use.

Stock Water

Stock water leaks are fixed as they are discovered.
Stock water is from both the Tokarahi Rural Water Scheme, supplemented by water via the irrigation supply.
Additional troughs are being installed every year to complement the existing ones. While currently the property cannot undertake dairy support, large diameter water lines have been installed (along with these additional troughs) to allow larger mobs of cows to be wintered if the rules change in the future.

Mahinga Kai Instream Biodiversity

In accordance with Canterbury Land and Water Plan Schedule 7 Part B Section 9
Objective: To protect mahinga kai values. Target: Mahinga kai values ofsurface waterbodies on the property are recognised by achieving other objectives and targets in the Farm Environment Plan, and in addition by: (a) maintaining existing indigenous vegetation in accordance with relevant regional council and district council vegetation clearance rules or any granted resource consent; (b) identifying opportunities to undertake additional plantings of indigenous vegetation, and carrying out and managing any additional plantings in accordance with regional council guidelines for riparian planting; (c) undertaking farming activities in a manner that minimises adverse effects on existing indigenous vegetation and on any additional plantings of indigenous riparian vegetation; and (d) managing pest plants in accordance with regional council rules.

Refer to the Water Map

Rock Art is protected from irrigation, ground water, stock and chemical sprays by avoiding all application to any limestone cliffs.

Indigenous vegetation is not removed.

Some of the terrestrial biodiversity known to inhabit Downland Farms:

- Fan Tails
- Wax Eyes
- Herons
- Bell Bird
- Little Owl
- Pied Stilt
- Pied Oyster Catcher
- Plovers

Pests are managed:

By shooting rabbits, hares, possums, wild cats, pigeons and ducks.
Rats and mice are poisoned.
Insecticide use is avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Instream Biodiversity

Objective: To protect and enhance in-stream biodiversity values. Targets: (1) On the map or aerial photograph of waterbodies required under Part A of this Schedule, specify the location of any spring heads, wetlands and spring-fed streams on the property or within the farming enterprise to recognise their high instream biodiversity values. (2) Prioritise achievement of the targets for Management Area: Waterbody Management for any spring heads, wetlands and spring-fed streams so as to protect and enhance the instream biodiversity values.

At the south end of the property there is spring fed water. This area has been fenced of now for a number of years, with planting of various species of trees. Stock does not have access to this area.

Refer to Waterway and CSA Management.

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