Effluent management is a big topic these days and it will get due attention at upcoming Smart Water Use Ideas Exchange sessions around the Bay of Plenty this month.

Five sessions are on offer during February so dairy farmers can pick one close to home. They're coming up soon, so farmers need to RSVP right away to reserve their spot – and allow for catering numbers for the lovely lunch which is being provided!

Locations include Reporoa (Feb 9), Te Puke (Feb 10), Katikati (Feb 13), Edgecumbe (Feb 15) and Galatea (Feb 16). These are DairyNZ events, supported by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatane District Councils as local partners.

Water management rules and regulations are changing and DairyNZ and councils are working together to ensure farmers are aware of the latest requirements – and the tools and practices that can make their job easier.
Regional and district council staff will be on hand at each session to discuss local water issues and answer questions.

Wayne Berry will take it from there and lead a discussion on practical water use ideas. An experienced dairy farm owner, Wayne is a DairyNZ consulting officer helping to implement the Smart Water Use on Dairy Farms programme.

'We hope dairy farm owners and managers will bring their staff along to a session,” says Wayne. 'Then, with a Smart Water Use resource kit in hand, they can explore opportunities for improvement on their own farm.”
A great place to start is in the dairy shed says Wayne.

'Good water management and efficient yard wash-down practices can dramatically reduce effluent volumes.”

Water loss out on the farm can be a real headache too, so the sessions will cover simple and inexpensive ways to identify leaks and fix them fast.
'We'll have samples of various water-saving technologies and devices on-hand at the session,” says Wayne.

'Every farm is different, so you have to decide what's best for you.”
Some great draw prizes will be on offer, including a Stark Washdown Wand developed by dairy farmer David Stark and the Se-Tech water flow indicator.
Both are great examples of Kiwi ingenuity and items that, used properly on the farm, can save water, time and money.

To RSVP dairy farmers can phone 07 349 6825 or 021 245 3310 or email [email protected]. For more information visit www.boprc.govt.nz. Look for the Smart Water Use quick link on the home page.