Dairy farmers have received another good report card for their efforts in meeting the targets of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord.
The Accord was introduced two years ago and is a partnership between Fonterra, regional councils and central government to improve water quality in areas where Fonterra shareholders farm.
A progress report for the second year of the accord shows more than 70% of dairy farms now exclude stock from their waterways - far exceeding the 50% target set for next year. And more than 90% of farmers have installed bridges or culverts at waterway crossings regularly used by stock, again well ahead of next year's 50% target.
However farmers' progress in developing nutrient management plans for their farms has been slower. Only 19% of farmers currently have a system in place to manage nutrients.
Fonterra says it's now focusing more attention on this aspect of the accord.
