Forest and Bird push for sustainable farming

Farmers are being offered the chance to embrace new ideas about sustainable farm management at this year’s Fieldays.

Forest and Bird are here promoting their conservation projects and driving for new members.

Their campaign around the Mckenzie basin in South Canterbury is particularly relevant to farmers.

Forest and Bird is against proposals to irrigate the McKenzie basin for farming. Field officer Al Fleming says the water take required is unsustainable and unique species would be lost from this natural drylands area.

Fleming says that the applicants for the irrigation project are the minority of farmers.

“There’s been an intensification of pasture and agricultural dairy farming over the last several years and that’s because commodity prices are so high. Farmers can get a great return for milk now.”

The increase in farming profitability has created environmental issues including increased nutrient input in waterways, increased sedimentation and loss of native bush.

Fleming says the group generally gets a positive response from farmers.

“Farmers are stewards of the land and they have empathy with what Forest and Bird are doing.”

He uses the example of the Godwits in the Firth of Thames to show how sustainability can lead to productivity for farmers.

The Firth of Thames is an important wetlands habitat for wading birds. Birds such as the godwit begin their annual migrations here. The birds travel to Asia – an important market for New Zealand’s dairy produce.

“Farmers, by improving the habitat of the godwits through sustainable farming practices are sending a signal to their markets that the produce they’re buying is sustainable produce.”

“The markets that they’re selling their produce to are demanding sustainability.”

“We can get premium dollars for produce that’s sustainably produced.”

Forest and Bird are also pushing for new members.

“The best thing a New Zealander can do for conservation in New Zealand is join Forest and Bird.”

They usually attract 50-60 members at Fieldays.