Otago farmers will be able to learn more about new water quality rules in the Otago Water Plan at two upcoming pre-calving field days in the region.

The field days are being run jointly by the Otago Regional Council (ORC), Dairy NZ, and Fonterra.

They have been a regular event on the southern farming calendar in recent years.

This year they will be held at the Henley Community Centre on Tuesday July 17 and the Clinton Rugby Club rooms the following day (Wednesday July 18). Both events run from 11am to 1.15pm.

They are aimed at dairy farmers, farm staff, and agricultural consultants.

ORC senior land resources officer Nicola McGrouther said the seminars are an excellent opportunity for dairy farmers to get the most up-to-date information on rules and best practice before the new milking season starts.

Part of the programme will be devoted to outlining how Proposed Plan Change 6A to the Water Plan will affect farmers.

This was in response to requests from farmers for more presentations on what the new ORC rules (which address the cumulative effects of non-point source discharges, including uncontrolled surface runoff, groundwater seepage, and flows from subsurface drains) mean for them and their farming operations.

Ms McGrouther said farmers were keen to learn what practices they could put in place to meet the rules and be good environmental managers.

Crown Research Institute AgResearch will outline a set of practical on-farm measures that will assist farmers in meeting water quality standards. This will include advice on reducing nitrate losses from winter forage crops, and getting the most out of Overseer (an agricultural management tool which assists farmers and their advisers to examine nutrient use and movements within a farm to optimize production and environmental outcomes.)

The day will be facilitated by Dairy NZ, with speakers from ORC, Fonterra, AgResearch, Dairy NZ, and Ballance Agri-Nutrients.