The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced it will step up proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead-up to the winter grazing season.
“We will prioritise visits to farms where it can be more problematic to manage soil conditions during periods of wet weather,” said MPI national response manager, Andrew Curtis.
“We’ll be assessing these farms before livestock start grazing winter feed and they will be closely monitored to ensure they are meeting animal welfare standards. We will do follow-up visits in June.”
MPI has also been working with regional councils and industry groups, especially in Otago and Southland, to develop practical information to help farmers prepare, said Mr Curtis.
“This includes an information flyer that contains a winter grazing checklist. Extra support is available for Southland farmers around managing their animals and reducing mud build up should they need it,” he said.
“Most farmers work hard to do the right thing and have carefully planned ahead to look after their animals.
“Some farmers will need to continue adapting their approaches to ensure they have more robust back-up plans during extreme weather, which can come with little warning.
“A well-planned winter grazing system supports good animal health and welfare. It ensures animals have sufficient and appropriate feed, access to clean water, and comfortable areas to lie down and rest.”
MPI’s proactive on-the-ground support aims to ensure better outcomes for livestock, the environment, and farmers.
“MPI will also have a helicopter in the air from time to time so that we can pinpoint potential winter grazing problem areas,” Mr Curtis says.
Earlier this year MPI successfully prosecuted a Southland livestock grazing company for allowing hundreds of cattle to graze in mud with the company fined $48,750.
“We visited numerous properties throughout Southland during winter 2024 and found most farmers were on top of their winter grazing requirements with good plans in place,” says Mr Curtis.
“Sector groups have useful resources and information on their websites to help minimise the amount of mud created during winter grazing, such as back fencing and using portable water troughs to reduce walking distances for livestock.”
Winter grazing is an annual practice where livestock are grazed on forage crops between May and September throughout Southland, much of Otago and other parts of New Zealand.
Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.
