The Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating a Southland farmer over poor winter grazing practices that required seven heifers to be euthanised.
Responding to a complaint, MPI animal welfare officers visited the farm near Riverton, where they found about 2000 cattle in substantial mud and with insufficient water.
MPI director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said the five heifers were euthanised on advice from private veterinarians. Another two were euthanised by the farm manager.
The farmer was directed to relocate cattle and provided with further direction on how to reduce the impact of mud on cattle.
An assessment of all the cattle is being carried out by a veterinarian.
Burrell said the investigation into the Riverton farm is ongoing and the MPI will consider further action.
“We’d remind all farmers that a well-planned winter grazing system supports good animal health and welfare.
“It ensures animals have sufficient and appropriate feed, access to plenty of clean water, and the ability to move freely to and from their feed and water.”
Environment Southland compliance manager Donna Ferguson said council officers are aware of the Riverton incident and have visited the site and not found any environmental impacts.
Despite recent wet weather, monitoring of winter grazing by staff has observed farmers generally managing their grazing well.
“Of note, the team has seen good buffers from waterways and critical sources areas being maintained in pasture and fenced off from grazing.
“We have not received any increased concerns from members of the public, nor attended any significant events,” she said.
Monitoring of winter grazing practices will continue throughout winter.
The Otago Regional Council has started aerial surveillance of winter grazing practices, with a focus on coastal and Central Otago.
In Focus Podcast: Full Show | 21 June
Senior Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie is subbing in for Bryan this week.
He talks to Harriet Mellish, general manager for Australia’s AgriFutures GrowAG initiative. Harriet outlines the opportunities GrowAg provides for Kiwi agritech startups to tap into opening them up to a wider funding and partnership arena at a time when NZ’s own funding environment is tight.
Then, the problem of trying to balance human welfare and animal welfare when it comes to livestock trucking has been highlighted by Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick.
And, he catches up with fellow senior journalist Neal Wallace on a couple of the stories he has been covering this week. Neal takes a look at the dire shortage of livestock available for processing this winter, what it means for plant shutdowns and markets. He also reports on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s terse words for environmentalists.
