The Catchment Solutions Project are presenting initially free-of-charge masterclasses on understanding and quantifying the sources of contaminant losses from farms and their transport pathways.
Please register your expression of interest by clicking the button below to reserve a spot. Please continue to check the Eventbrite page for course details—new courses will be announced there, and if courses are fully booked, that is where you can stay updated on any new availability
who should attend?
Farmers, Catchment Coordinators, Kaitiaki, Farm Environmental Advisors, Primary Industry Consultants, MPI On-farm Support, and Regional Council’s Rural Advisors
This course is for you if you are interested in the following:
- catchment and farm water quality,
- the water quality targets that central Government and Regional Councils set,
- how to take water samples,
- understanding the different forms of the contaminants found in freshwaters,
- how to develop and implement a water sampling program,
- interpreting water quality data,
- the flow pathways through soils and groundwater,
- the relationship between geology and hydrology,
- the soil water balance as a means of quantifying the quantity of drainage,
- the source of contaminants on farms.
The above is important information and is the basis for the selection of the most appropriate edge-of-field mitigation for a given situation. In addition, the tools introduced in this course will help quantify the amount of drainage and the concentration of contaminants which, in turn, will assist in the identification of design parameters related to the size of the structure and/or the effectiveness of treatment.
You will gain a sound understanding of the major contaminants impacting fresh water quality and how these pollutants are monitored. The theory of water and solute movement through soils will be introduced. The major sources of contaminants in farm systems will also be considered. A number of tools will be used to help quantify and map flow pathways, and the magnitude of drainage and nutrient loss. The overall objective of this masterclass is to provide participants with the ability to gather and analyse the information necessary to identify the most appropriate edge of field mitigation and how this knowlwedge might be incorporated into the design of the structure for best bang for buck.
Dr Katrina Macintosh (Senior Scientist DairyNZ), Research Officer Dr Fernando Avendano (Massey University), and Professor Dave Horne (Massey University) will share their knowledge and experience in measuring and analysing water equality, mapping flow pathways, the soil water balance, contaminant generation in farms, and the integration of this knowledge and skills to select the most suitable edge of field mitigation in a range of contexts.
where & when
This masterclass is a two-day course. More information about dates and venues for these Masterclasses will become available from the Eventbrite link below.
REGISTRATION
This Masterclass is being offered free of charge. We have a limited number of spaces available, so get in quick to register if you have an interest in contaminant loss management technologies and practices.
Please register your expression of interest here. If you need further info, please contact info@catchmentsolutions.co.nz.
To support the registration process and attendee selection you will be asked for your name, contact details – email and phone number, and a brief (max 100 words) outline of your interest and how you think this course will help you.
You will potentially receive a Certificate of Completion for this course (TBC).
Where numbers exceed capacity, we reserve the right to select applicants based on merit and diversity. Please do not lock in travel plans until we confirm your acceptance
YOUR TRAINERS - Dave Horne
Dave’s main research and teaching interests are in soil physics and soil water management, particularly as they intersect with the identification of sustainable land use, and quantifying and reducing the impacts of primary production systems on the environment. He has been involved with numerous field and modelling studies of mitigation options for reducing contaminant loss, and has worked with both farm management (in-field) and edge-of field practices. He is also involved with many of Massey’s professional development courses in; Sustainable nutrient management, Greenhous gas emission, and Farm dairy effluent management.
YOUR TRAINERS - KATRINA MACINTOSH
Senior Scientist Dairy NZ. Katrina has more than 20 years’ experience as an environmental scientist, with a particular focus on freshwater quality, ecology, phosphorus, catchment science, nutrient management, and on-farm practice change for environmental outcomes.
Katrina joined DairyNZ as a senior scientist in 2019, after moving to New Zealand from Northern Ireland.
Your trainers - Fernando Avendaño Veas
Research Officer in Catchment Solutions at Massey University, Palmerston North. Fernando’s main areas of research involve evaluating the effects of agricultural systems on soil and water, particularly focused on the losses of nutrients and sediments, and how to mitigate these effects by using novel edge-of-field practices. To do this, Fernando applies tools such as field-scale and catchment-scale modelling, Geographic Information Systems, and geospatial data collection, manipulation and analysis. Fernando’s interests involve modelling and programming workflows, catchment water quality, soil physical and chemical characterisation and mapping, pedology and geomorphology.
Project funding acknowledgement
The Catchment Solutions Project (CSP) aims to enhance rural capability to achieve essential freshwater outcomes and would like to acknowledge the very generous funding from the Ministry for Environment (Essential Freshwater Fund), in collaboration with co-funding from Hawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRC) and in-kind contributions from DairyNZ and Hawkes Bay Regional Council.
CSP is a 3-year collaborative project focused on co-learning, exchange, and outreach for targeted and effective water quality mitigation measures, focused on design and construction of innovative edge-of-field mitigation structures.
CSP is led by Massey University Farmed Landscapes Research Centre (FLRC) and acknowledges its collaboration and support received from DairyNZ in developing and delivery of this masterclass training focused on learning practical skills in understanding and quantifying the sources of contaminant losses from farms and their transport pathways.
If you require more information please click the button below