Identification Of Important Criteria In Farm Systems Decisions Around Lake Taupo

Nitrogen leaching from agriculture contributes to contamination of Lake Taupo. Multiple criteria decision making was used to compare fourteen pre-defined farming systems which reduced, or maintained nitrogen losses. Case study participants included three to four each of Maori Incorporation representatives, owner-operators, Environment Waikato employees, and researchers. The total group identified criteria that were important in choosing between the systems. Profit and nitrogen outputs were provided for the systems. Individuals weighted criteria and subjectively scored each system’s performance against the remaining criteria. Systems were ranked using this information. Variation within and between groups was considerable. Key criteria included: profit; farm sustainability; labour; enjoyment; risk (Maori); lifestyle and environmental sustainability (owner-operators).