An independent report on about a third of Otago dairy farms has shown 66% could meet the Otago Regional Council's proposed standards for nitrogen leaching.
Fert Research recently published a report using a new nutrient management tool to test nutrient use on dairy farms around the country. It was presented to the council's natural resources committee yesterday.
Of the 163 Otago dairy farms tested, 66% complied with the proposed leaching rates in Plan Change 6A (water quality).
The plan change proposed a 30kg leaching threshold to protect groundwater concentration levels. However, in sensitive areas such as aquifers and lake headwaters only 10kg would be allowed.
Environmental information and science director John Threlfall said only four farms met the 10kg standard but their milk production was low, their nitrogen output was low, stock was wintered off the properties and they had no or very little irrigation, so it was "clear" how they met the standard.
However, many of the "high-end" farms also wintered their stock off their land.
"For some it will be very hard to meet 30. It will require significant change."
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said he was pleased he lived in Otago after looking at the results for Taranaki and others.
"If you think we've got challenges ... "
The report gave the council solid independent research to underpin the water plan changes, he said.
Cr Bryan Scott said that despite some farmers' protests there was no way they could meet the levels proposed, this report showed they could.
