183 Abstract Research on the soil and water quality of deer farms is minimal. However, the perception is that many deer operations may be detrimental to soil and water quality. To address this problem two deer focus farms (DFF, 1 each in Otago and Southland) were established to showcase how productivity and environmental objectives can coincide. Managements implemented by the farmers included a sedimentation pond, fencing off waterways and retiring land under a QEII covenant. A detailed soil and water quality testing regime occurred for each farm: data were collected at the Southland DFF for three tributaries (one fenced off, one partially fenced and one unfenced) which fed into a stream and through a tussock covered area retired from grazing. Water quality in the unfenced and partially fenced tributaries was poor with no water quality parameters meeting ANZECC guidelines, whereas water quality in the fenced-off and planted tributary was better. Water exiting the retired area met ANZECC guidelines. Although water quality on parts of both deer farms did not meet ANZECC guidelines, when management practices such as fencing off and the creation of a pond were used water quality improved. More importantly, an area retired from grazing and further development on the Southland DFF showed that water quality could be significantly improved and could be better than that entering the farm. Keywords: fencing-off, QEII covenant, sedimentation pond, water quality Introduction Sustainable deer farming in New Zealand requires profitable and well producing farms with minimal impact on the environment. Past studies have suggested that natural behaviour by deer such as fence-line pacing and wallowing can cause significant erosion and input of nutrients, sediment and faecal bacteria into waterways (e.g. McDowell & Stevens 2006; Eyles et al. 2002). With this in mind, two deer focus farms (DFF) were established to identify, trial and showcase best management practices (BMPs). In addition to benchmarking and improving production, environmental Monitoring the impact of farm practices on water quality in the Otago and Southland deer focus farms R.W. McDOWELL 1 , N. McGROUTHER 2 , G. MORGAN 3 , M.S. SRINIVASAN 1 , D.R. STEVENS 1 , M. JOHNSON 1 and R. COPLAND 4 1 AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag 50034 Mosgiel 2 Otago Regional Council, 70 Stafford St, Dunedin 3 Environment Southland, Private Bag 90116, Invercargill 4 PGG Wrightson Consulting, Private Bag 1966, Dunedin richard.mcdowell@agresearch.co.nz objectives were also included to improve our knowledge of the impact of deer on the environment. These objectives included determining the effect of BMPs on soil and water quality, and investigating alternative management strategies to accommodate deer behaviour on-farm. At present, each DFF has strategies to minimise the impact of deer on soil and water quality. These include the establishment of a sedimentation pond, fencing off the waterway and wallowing areas and planting the riparian area to prevent fence-line pacing, and the establishment of an area of land under a covenant. The covenant protects the landform and vegetation in perpetuity, stock access is no longer allowed nor is further development of the land. This paper examines the effect of these strategies on soil and water quality in each DFF. Materials and Methods Site description Each deer focus farm (Fig. 1) formed part of a larger catchment. The Otago DFF (Glenomaru, about 20 km south of Balclutha) was contained within a 190 ha catchment, of which about 100 ha was deer farmed, 15 ha in scrub and the remainder, at the headwaters, occupied by sheep and beef. The Southland DFF (Waimea, about 10 km east of Lumsden) occupied about half of a 290 ha catchment with the remainder forming part of a sheep and beef farm. Annual rainfall was about 1100 mm at the Glenomaru DFF and 850 mm at the Waimea DFF. Soils in both catchments were dominated by Brown silt loams (Owaka at Glenomaru and Wendon at Waimea). About 250 soil samples were taken (0-75 mm) from each catchment on a 50 m grid in October and analysed for Olsen P, pH, sulphate-S, and MAF Quicktest K. Water quality was monitored at four sites in each catchment. At Glenomaru, three sites were located on the main waterway flowing through the DFF; one before the stream entered the deer farm, one before a sedimentation pond and one at the catchment outlet after the pond (Fig.1a). An additional site (outside of the catchment) monitored the drainage from a paddock used for a winter crop and a self-feeding silage pit. At Waimea, three creeks were monitored on the south side of the main stream: one was