Going through the New Zealand Farm Assurance Plus programme is challenging but has been hugely worthwhile, say farmers Ruth and Mike Williams.
The couple, along with their youngest son Joe, farm a 1200ha mixed sheep and beef breeding and finishing operation at Little Akaloa on Banks Peninsula. They participated in the New Zealand Farm Assurance Plus (NZFAP Plus) pilot and are now pursuing certification from the higher-level voluntary sustainability standard.
“We joined a Red Meat Profit Partnership Action Group and Alan McDermott [Meat Processor Representative Director for RMPP] spoke by Zoom at one of our meetings about NZFAP Plus,” said Ruth.
“It really resonated with me. We have always tried to do the right thing for the right reasons for our property and I saw it as an opportunity to actually record that and be acknowledged for it.
“We are at a time when everyone needs to be responsible for their actions. This is farmers’ opportunity to show that we are doing that, and to demonstrate it in measurable ways.”
Ruth said initially they wanted to use the NZFAP Plus process to get feedback as to how they were doing, but they found it involved a couple of mind-shifts.
“Firstly, it is a great opportunity to upskill and to recognise and learn what we need to do better.”
The second mind-shift has been habit change around how they record things.
“We have done a lot of production recording over the years but now we are starting to record the environmental side of things.
“It is a very comprehensive programme – that is what appealed to us. It has built on the strong foundation of NZFAP by covering people, environmental resources and biosecurity. It has helped us plan in regard to GHG emissions and be aware of changes in regulations.”
The Williams have been collating information and gathering substantive measurable aspects on-farm as part of the process. Ruth and Mike’s main Brockworth farm property, which has been in the Williams family since 1965, runs for 6km along a ridge. The additional blocks go up to 700m, so there is a variety of terrain when gathering information.
“The on-farm action – from water sampling to biodiversity monitoring and visual soil assessment – are all important.
“This isn’t about just ticking boxes for the sake of overseas consumers. It’s about building our understanding of the way we farm and
