PHOTO: TONY BENNY/STUFF Environment Canterbury says nutrient controls, in place to protect waterways from intensive land practices, mean that stocking levels are effectively capped for most dairy farmers in Canterbury.
Nutrient limits imposed on dairy farmers are putting a brake on new dairy conversions in Canterbury, with 10 consented last year.
This compares with more than 50 conversions in the region during some of the peak dairy boom years.
Environment Canterbury said that its consent figures showed that there had been a steady decline in dairy conversions in the region since 2013. This was despite the completion of the massive Central Plains Water irrigation scheme last spring which some feared would lead to another surge in conversions.
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