At its launch Fonterra set an initial target of having 1000 farm environment plans in place.
The Dairy Tomorrow Strategy will see all farmers adopting a sustainable dairying plan by 2025
“When we committed to the programme we increased the number of sustainable dairy advisers we had in the field,” Fonterra sustainable dairying general manager Charlotte Rutherford said.
“However, demand has outstripped supply.
“We have met our goal of 1000 plans but there is still plenty of work to be done.
“We had a lot early adopters and once word got out we received an amazing, positive response.”
Tiaki is one of six water quality commitments made by Fonterra.
It supports farmers to stay ahead of regulatory requirements while satisfying evolving consumer and market expectations.
Rutherford says the word Tiaki means to look after, to guard, care for, keep and nurture.
The programme builds on the work Fonterra has been doing over the last 13 years through its sustainable dairying programme.
“Instead of focusing time and resources on individual sustainability issues with farmers we took a holistic approach to help all farmers develop a framework to meet their goals.
“Farmers are continually having to change and meet regulations and Tiaki is part of that journey.
“Our farmers are doing some great work on their farms and we’re committed to supporting them as they continue to manage and maintain our environment for generations to come.”
Tiaki is a comprehensive plan tailored to help address on-farm environmental risks.
“It helps implement good management practice on-farm and can be altered to suit each farmer.
“We know every region and in fact every farm is different and so it’s important we recognise this in the support we give.”
Rutherford says the plan includes everything on-farm, not just water and effluent, so does take time to produce but at the other end has huge benefits.
“Farmers can meet the ever-changing regulations as well as set a pathway for their individual goals for their farms.
“Tiaki is a road map for change in the environmental space of farms. For example, it can be used for future planning around biodiversity or climate change. It looks to industry-good farming practice as all issues are addressed.”
Rutherford said though it is hard for people to grasp the concept at first, the implementation and uptake has been going well.
“I have never been so excited, proud and as enthusiastic about any programme as I am about Tiaki.
“Dairy farmers are well used to having conversations about sustainability.
“Every farmer wants to be sustainable. Tiaki takes the guesswork out of what they need to do.”
Tiaki
Fonterra's farm environment plan template has been approved by Environment Canterbury – the first regional council to do so.
It met the requirements of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
The regional plan requires all farms to get a land-use consent and produce an environment plan to support it.
ECan chief executive Bill Bayfield said the Fonterra template makes that process a lot easier and exceeds the regulatory requirements of the regional plan.
Through the Tiaki programme farmers can access support for farm environment plans, consents, nutrient budgets, nitrogen reports, farm mapping, riparian management plans, effluent management, water use efficiency and access to industry networks and contacts.
