Seven farms face investigation of grazing breaches

Environment Southland will investigate seven farms for minor breaches of winter grazing rules after its first aerial monitoring flight, but the regional council says it is yet to receive a complaint about winter grazing this season.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has received two complaints specifically related to winter grazing for Southland.

MPI’s director of compliance services, Gary Orr, said that in both instances MPI animal welfare inspectors had responded to the complaints and found no sign of any animal health issues.

‘‘Although it is early days yet for winter and there have been relatively good conditions, MPI has noted positive practices aimed at improving winter grazing conditions for animals are being adopted by farmers.’’

Environment Southland compliance manager Simon Mapp said: ‘‘At this stage we have received no complaints this year in relation to intensive winter grazing issues, which is defined as cows being grazed on winter forage crops.’’

But after its first aerial monitoring flight, the regional council will contact seven landowners for a follow-up after they were identified as potentially having minor issues.

A joint approach by Environment Southland, DairyNZ, Beef and Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers, the Ministry for the Environment and MPI was developed last year to tackle winter grazing issues, after environmentalist Angus Robson posted photographs to social media showing cows standing in mud, and runoff from paddocks into rivers.

Three charges were laid against Southland farming companies for breaches of winter grazing rules last year.

‘‘We know the weather has been good so far this winter, but rain is inevitable. Farmers still need to be mindful of maintaining all good management practices.’’ Rob Phillips

Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said: ‘‘Winter grazing is recognised as a high-risk activity with regard to water quality and a lot of effort has gone into providing the advice and information to help farmers understand what is expected of them.’’

A large portion of Southland was covered by the first monitoring flight, from Tussock Creek through to Garston and Mossburn, and then some of western Southland.

‘‘We know the weather has been good so far this winter, but rain is inevitable,’’ Phillips said.

‘‘Farmers still need to be mindful of maintaining all good management practices, including managing critical source areas and buffers after heavy rain.’’

The landowners identified by the flights would be followed up by compliance and land sustainability staff.

Winter grazing typically involves livestock being strip-fed forage such as pasture. Animals get access to an area of forage and are shifted in a controlled manner. When animals finish grazing one section of forage, the farmer opens up another.