Farming experts urge govt to upgrade Overseer, not abandon it

Farming experts urge govt to upgrade Overseer, not abandon it
Overseer was never intended to be the go-to regulatory tool for managing farm pollution (Image: Depositphotos).
Jem Traylen
Users of the country’s leading farm pollution management tool are wondering what else Wellington is going to throw at them after the model was panned in an independent review. Known as Overseer, the tool was developed in the 1990s to help farmers optimise fertiliser application. Because the model provides estimates of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers being lost from pasture systems, Waikato’s regional council began using it in 2005 as a way of regulating how many nutrients were leaching into Taupō’s water catchment...

More Primary Sector

NZ wine firms feel the squeeze, eye brighter days
Primary Sector

NZ wine firms feel the squeeze, eye brighter days

Global oversupply and weak US demand hit earnings, yet growth is back on the radar.

Counting the cost of restructuring Bremworth
Primary Sector

Counting the cost of restructuring Bremworth

It is now positioned for growth after a “tough” year.

Open Country Dairy signs deal to buy Miraka
Primary Sector

Open Country Dairy signs deal to buy Miraka

It is Open Country's second acquisition recently.

Riley Kennedy 01 Sep 2025