Horizons One Plan affects all dairy farmers, but with Fish and Game and the Auckland-based Environmental Defence Society taking Horizons Regional Council to the Environment Court, many dairy farmers are facing an uncertain future.
Much of the court proceedings are around specific points of law and a challenge on Horizons' process of implementation of the One Plan, Dannevirke dairy farmer Russell Phillips, a key member of the Tararua Community Economic Impact Society, said.
"Of those who have been consented, some will be happy but many may now be facing the restrictions on total production and a capping of land values."
The Tararua Community Economic Impact Society (TCEIS) is also involved in the Environment Court proceedings and the group's view is that Horizons has considered the views expressed around the economic and social effects on our community and has implemented the plan with those considerations clearly understood.
Mr Phillips, Dannevirke dairy farmer Philip Hartridge and Tararua District deputy mayor Allan Benbow attended the Environment Court in Wellington in November where the main court day was set for February 13 in either Palmerston North or Wellington.
Pahiatua dairy farmers David and Janine Swansson say Horizons have been excellent to work with recently, with a more proactive approach to achieving good outcomes for the environment.
"We, like many other farmers, continue to use the funding available to subsidise plantings in fenced off areas which has been very helpful considering the extremely tight financial times we have been going through," the Swanssons said.
"Being dairy farmers we have found it very mentally draining. Doing the job that we do, we have always been focused on trying to do what's best for our livestock, the land, the environment and the community. But we have increasingly found it difficult constantly hearing media and social media running us down. No matter how much work and money we spend to make significant improvements, it seems to be never enough.
"So not only is there a financial economic impact but a very real risk to the mental health and well being of our farmers and the community which is so heavily reliant on our rural economy."
Eketahuna dairy farmer and Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis, who is also a founding member of the TCEIS, said the Swanssons demonstrate the culture change which has been achieved between farmers and Horizons Regional Council.
"Their comments sum up exactly the message I am receiving from farmers," she said.
"Younger farmers find the criticism harder to take than some of us who are more seasoned and I find it gets them down, constantly reading and hearing the negative portrayal when I am sure each of us wakes each day with the intention of doing a good job."
Mrs Collis said while her husband Mike finds it difficult to listen to the negative, knowing he has created wetlands, planted and now even purchased a tow 'n fert to use for spreading fine particles for optimised timing, he is proud to produce a top quality food product - milk.
Some sheep, beef and cropping farmers are contributing well to environmental improvements and the TCEIS believes they all should contribute under a plan to a greater involvement over a period of time (years) for good environmental practice and policy.
And towns in Tararua have ongoing improved waste management systems implemented by the Tararua District Council with these now showing in the improved Manawatu river system.
"People of the Tararua are outcome focused who find solutions and fix problems, investing time and capital. We are quick adopters of technology and in general have a strong desire to improve the environment we live in and receive an income from," Mr Phillips said.