The field days have been organized by the Otago Regional Council (ORC), DairyNZ, and Fonterra, and will feature speakers from all three organisations.

Topics include effluent system trouble-shooting; a session on ORC rules; new best practice guidelines for pond design and construction; and new Fonterra effluent system inspections.

ORC manager of land resources Susie McKeague said the field days would provide farm owners, farm managers, and sharemilkers with practical advice to ensure their effluent systems were in good working order and compliant with ORC rules, in the lead-up to the 2010-2011 milking season.

Ms McKeague said both farm owners and farm operators were responsible for meeting compliance regulations, with good two-way communication the key to this happening, as well as between farm staff.

Communication breakdowns over things like irrigator maintenance could lead to major problems if non-compliance was detected, she said.

“These field days will provide useful information on how to resolve such issues well before non-compliance becomes a possibility,” Ms McKeague said.

Field day details

Tuesday 13 July

1.30 – 3.30pm

Jarron Farmer

72 O’Neill Rd

(Ludemann’s property)

North Otago Downlands

(near Windsor)

Supply No. 36130

Wednesday 14 July

1.30 - 3pm

David and Robyn Balchin

Blaikie Rd, Clinton

(turn off SH, 1km east of

Clinton)

Supply No. 33548

Thursday 15 July

1.30-3pm

Noelene and Shane Hildred

240 Bull Creek Road, Outram

Supply No. 13604