Dairy farmers’ perspectives of riparian corridor design and management: a Canterbury, New Zealand, case study

Abstract

Riparian corridors provide many functions in agricultural landscapes which contribute to water quality and ecological values. However intensification of dairy farms has degraded waterways and their functions within many regions of New Zealand. Waterways have been left unfenced and accessible to stock, which has led to increased sedimentation and contamination of surface water, and the loss of other riparian functions that rely on vegetation and clean water such as biodiversity, fishing, swimming, food gathering, and recreational activities. Increasing attention upon these issues both in the media and in public policy, and the perceived need to protect the reputation of the New Zealand dairy industry, has led dairy companies, regional councils and non-governmental organizations to develop voluntary agri-environmental programmes that encourage farmer suppliers of dairy companies to exclude stock from riparian corridors (including from main crossing points) and to progressively plant some of their riparian corridors. There have been surveys of progress towards targets set by these programmes, but little is known about farmers’ first hand experiences of the design and management of their riparian corridors. Through key informant interviews with farmers in a Canterbury case study, this research describes how dairy farmers are designing and managing their riparian corridors, and evaluates their effectiveness for meeting dairy farmer, regulatory and industry expectations.