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Cow in milking shed - Source: ONE News -
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An intensive dairy development planned for the South Island high country is being called "factory farming" by critics who say keeping thousands of cows in cubicled sheds for months at a time could do immense damage to the country's clean, green brand.
There are already a number of shed farms in New Zealand but nothing quite on this scale.
The plan is to house approximately 18,000 animals and the first of the planning hearings was held on Monday.
The practice is called free-stall dairy farming and there are about 20 of them around the country already, where cows are kept inside for the colder months of the year.
Abe de Wolde, a free stall dairy farmer, says the cows live in the sheds for two months, are free to move around the cubicle shed and free to lie down in the cubicles.
"It makes me more money, it's better for the environment and it's pleasant to work in," he says.
But the latest indoor farms will be much bigger, with several high country stations near Omarama broken up into 16 dairy farms housing 18,000 animals.
Some of the land was used for an abandoned biofuel crop. But it all requires water to turn it into pastureland.
Hearings are already underway with those opposed to more dairying having their say.
"Irrigation will not maintain the naturally arid, barren qualities of these outstanding landscapes," says one opponent.
Two main companies are involved - Southdown Holdings and Five Rivers. Their plans involve 18,000 cows living indoors for eight months of the year.
Not all locals are happy that big businesses are moving in.
"These big developments will have a definite impact. (I) don't think the impact visually on the landscape will be as big as the impact on some of the smaller catchments in terms of nutrient loadings," says John Murray, a Tekapo farmer.
As well as the nitrate problem, they say information about what is planned is scarce.
"They play their cards very close to their chest, and they release their information in dribs and drabs. They only tell you what they want you to know," says Murray.
Getting water is the first step. Applicants also need satisfactory plans for dealing with effluent. The process could take up to a year.
Clean and green?
New Zealand has cashed in on its clean, green credentials in the overseas market for years and the prospect of the dairy farming industry changing so dramatically could affect that image.
New Zealand advertises its image to the world in a way that is quite different to the proposed free stall farming which would see cows inside for most of the year.
TBWA Advertising executive David Walden says the idea of farming in stables or cubicles is not the way New Zealand sees itself.
Dairy giant Fonterra is also not sure free-stall farming fits with the reputation the country markets overseas, as selling dairy products produced by free range cows on pastures.
Walden says New Zealand's clean, green image should not be risked.
"That's the image overseas that people want to buy our products, particularly our dairy products. So why would we compromise that?" he says.
It is a style of farming used widely across Europe. Federated Farmers says it allows for easy collection of effluents and breeds happy cows.
Don Nicolson says New Zealand is starting to see more of the practice because farmers are being forced to use new techniques.
It would be nice to have less intensive agriculture but it doesn't pay the bill, he says.
Greens co-leader Russel Norman says development of more shed farms will have wide implications for dairying.
"Every dairy farmer in the country will be affected by this once it gets out. New Zealand no longer does pastoral farming but does industrial farming production," says Norman.
The SPCA says this type of farming is turning cows into machines that make milk.
In the supermarket dairy aisle, some customers say it would change their buying habits, knowing the cows were not in their natural environment.
"Coming from the States where everything is that way, no I wouldn't want to buy it," says one shopper.
It could be a move that leaves a sour taste in the mouths of consumers at home and abroad.
What do you think about the practice? COMMENT on our messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentBM said on 2010-01-28 @ 22:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
So the Prime Minister is confident New Zealand's clean green image won't be hurt by free stall farming and doubts consumers will be put off buying our dairy products . I previously had hope in your leadership John. Now I see your just another big business lackey. You've definately got this wrong just read all the coments on this subject John to see this. You just lost my vote and I am sure lots of others.
kberry said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:29 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why is NZ in such a hurry to become like America? Anyone who has done any research can see just how far we have become removed from the natural order of things in how we grow and treat our food. Cows are grazers. They eat grass, not corn, in pastures, not sheds. This will only promote deformity and disease. Food will be full of more chemicals, and hormones, and will simply NOT BE GOOD FOOD. Check out the film "FOOD INC." to see the state of feed lots in the USA. Simply disgusting. SAY NO!!!!!!!
jillhh100 said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
Having lived overseas eating and drinking dairy products produced by this type of farming I dearly hope we don't head down this route. The products just don't taste as good!! As an environmental engineer I'm confident that solutions can be found for the enviro issues - but the damage the this does to taste and our quality brand in the market, that can't be repaired.
BM said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Kris are you saying the meat will be sold cheaper? I can't imagine this at all. Why would the producers sell cage meat at a cheaper cost than field produced meat? This is all about money making and greed. Even if the meat was sold cheaper the real issue is the inhumane treatment of the animals. This farming method is cruel.
BM said on 2010-01-27 @ 16:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
New Zealand is suposed to be clean and green and humane. Overseas this method of keeping animals is used. However we should take the lead and reject this cruel inhumane method of animal farming. I say keep those applying for consent in the conditions they expect the animals to live in for a year and if after this they still want consent give them it. They won't apply for consent having endured the barbaric conditions of course.