8 Extreme weather to continue Vol 19 No 31, August 16, 2021
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Over and out? Richard Rennie
T
richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz
HE future of Overseer as a regulatory tool to limit farm nutrient losses could hang in the balance after a government-appointed panel identified weaknesses in its ability to capture nutrient loss and challenged its accuracy. The review also reveals a gap between Overseer’s application as a long-term, strategic tool for farmers and the ability of councils to use it as a regulatory tool to cap nutrient losses. The Overseer panel was appointed in response to a 2018 Parliamentary Commissioner for
Councils have always known of Overseer’s weaknesses. The issue is though, that the Environment Court and commissioners have determined it is fit for purpose (as a regulatory tool). But this review has put those judgements in question. Doug Leeder BoP Regional Council
the Environment recommendation that Overseer as the key tool for measuring nutrient losses be reviewed. The review’s general assessment is that Overseer is not providing reliable results across the range of situations it is applied to. Recommendations include more “real-time” data on nutrient losses, particularly nitrogen. While acknowledging it is not perfect, OverseerFM chief executive Dr Caroline Read has defended its use as a tool for monitoring trends and shifts in farm nutrient losses. “Overseer is a tool to understand the direction of travel for the whole farm’s nutrient profile. But we need to keep it pragmatic and realistic for making long-term decisions, including issuing consents, without having to re-analyse data on a weekly or monthly basis,” Read said. She says she was concerned the panel’s recommendations are pointing towards a far more precise real-time monitoring tool. The panel recommended more real-time monitoring of water quality at a local level, including a call for more immediate climate data, rather than the long-term monthly averages used by Overseer. “What is it we want to regulate farmers for? Is it the weather, or the direction of travel for the farm’s nutrient losses? Every year will be different, Overseer follows the
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STARTING YOUNG: St Peters Cambridge Year 13 student Jonty Short tries his hand at auctioning a pen of rams, as PGG Wrightson regional livestock manager Kevin Mortensen offers support. Photo: Andrew Jardine
Auction challenge accepted FOR one Year 13 student, a work experience visit to the Te Kuiti sale yards took on a whole new meaning, as Jonty Short from St Peters Cambridge accepted the challenge to auction off a pen of sheep at Wednesday’s sale. Short was allocated a pen of cull rams and a good crowd
gathered to witness the event. PGG Wrightson regional livestock manager Kevin Mortensen supported Short as bid spotter and deemed the sale a success, as Short persuaded buyers up to $96, much to the delight of his fellow classmates.
Overall, sales around the country were at extremes, as some yards offered up minimal volume, largely due to adverse weather and the time of year, while others were in spring-selling mode and tallies increased at regular sales, or special fairs were held.
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