Company says cubicle farming good for cows 

Source: ONE NewsCows outside milking shed

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One of the companies behind the proposed cubicle dairy farms in the Mackenzie Country says indoor farming is better for the environment and the cows. 
 
Southdown Holdings has finally gone public, in its words, to "mitigate the hysteria engendered by the Green Party".

Plans for 16 indoor dairy farms near Omarama have caused a storm, with 18,000 cows indoors for most of the year. 

The company says the main reason they have chosen cubicle farming is because it is potentially the most environmentally friendly way of dairy farming.

They say they can better manage the discharge of nitrates and phosphates and effluent is only sprayed on to pastures when grass is growing.

But Green Party co-leader Russel Norman is not convinced.

"The reality is New Zealand does not need dairy factory farming. This is 18,000 dairy cows intensively farmed in a very pristine natural environment - the Mackenzie Basin. It will have a very significant impact."

The Greens wants the government to take over the hearing process for the new farms, but Environment Minister Nick Smith says that will not be happening.

"I've received advice from the Ministry for the Environment that the farming proposal in the McKenzie Country of housed cows does not meet the thresholds to call in such an application," Smith says.

Fonterra is also against the new cubicle farms, despite having a similar one of its own in China.

"The key issue here is whether dairy farming in the Mackenzie Basin is environmentally sustainable," says Fonterra spokesman, Tim Deane.

The Greens are keeping up the pressure saying the government must act. 

"The government has said it doesn't support factory farming - the ball is now in the government's court to stop it," Norman says.

About 20 cubicle sheds are already in use round the country.

Those wanting to build more say they simply want a fair hearing.