Catchment Solutions Project Masterclass: Sources & pathways of contaminants

We welcome expressions of interest for the Catchment Solutions Project Masterclass training: Understanding and quantifying the sources of contaminant losses from farms and their transport pathways.

Dr Katrina Macintosh (Senior Scientist DairyNZ), Research Officer Dr Fernando Avendaño, and Professor Dave Horne (Massey University) will share their knowledge and experience in measuring and analysing water quality, 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.

This free masterclass training will be delivered over 2 days of in-person discussion, presentations, and exercises.

We have a limited number of spaces available, so get in quick to express your interest.

In-person presentations, exercises, discussion and field visits: Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 May 2025

You will potentially receive a Certificate of Completion for this course (TBC).

Please register your interest with your name and contact details, including email and phone number. Registration cut-off date is Wednesday 7 May 2025.

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.

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 knowledge might be incorporated into the design of the structure.

Find out more about the Catchment Solutions Project here

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.

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.

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.

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 design and implementation of innovative farm drainage management technologies to reduce nutrient losses.