New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Best management practices to mitigate faecal contamination by livestock of New Zealand waters

Rob Collins¹

Malcolm McLeod²

Mike Hedley³

Andrea Donnison⁴

Murray Close⁵

James Hanly³

Dave Horne³

Colleen Ross⁴

Robert Davies-Colley^1*

Caroline Bagshaw⁶

Lindsay Matthews⁴

¹National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
PO Box 11115
Hamilton 3251, New Zealand

²Landcare Research Limited
Private Bag 3127
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand

³Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

⁴AgResearch Limited, Ruakura Campus
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand

⁵Institute of Environmental Science and Research
PO Box 29181
Christchurch 8540, New Zealand

⁶Thinking Animals
PO Box 24089
Hamilton 3253, New Zealand

^*Author for correspondence: r.davies-colley@niwa.co.nz

Abstract   This paper summarises findings from the Pathogen Transmission Routes Research Program, describing pathogen pathways from farm animals to water bodies and measures that can reduce or prevent this transfer. Significant faecal contamination arises through the deposition of faeces by grazing animals directly into waterways in New Zealand. Bridging of streams intersected by farm raceways is an appropriate mitigation measure to prevent direct deposition during herd crossings, whilst fencing stream banks will prevent access from pasture into waterways by cattle that are characteristically attracted to water. Riparian buffer strips not only prevent cattle access to waterways, they also entrap microbes from cattle and other animals being washed down-slope towards the stream in surface runoff. Microbial water quality improvements can be realised by fencing stock from ephemeral streams, wetlands, seeps, and riparian paddocks that are prone to saturation. Soil type is a key factor in the transfer of faecal microbes to waterways. The avoidance of, or a reduction in, grazing and irrigation upon poorly drained soils characterised by high bypass flow and/or the generation of surface runoff, are expected to improve microbial water quality. Dairyshed wastewater should be irrigated onto land only when the water storage capacity of the soil will not be exceeded. This "deferred irrigation" can markedly reduce pollutant transfer to waterways, particularly that via subsurface drains and groundwater. Advanced pond systems provide excellent effluent quality and have particular application where soil type and/or climate are unfavourable for irrigation. Research needs are indicated to reduce faecal contamination of waters by livestock.

Keywords   agriculture; best management practices; faecal contamination; mitigation; New Zealand

A06064; Online publication date 24 May 2007; Received 26 October 2006; accepted 1 May 2007

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2007, Vol. 50: 267—278
0028—8233/07/5002—0267 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007

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