Winter grazing: DairyNZ against rules boycott

The regulations come into effect next month but Southland farmers are fuming over some aspects of the regulations.

Southland Federated Farmers president Geoffrey Young is urging farmers not to get resource consent for some aspects of winter grazing, as a protest against the Essential Freshwater regulations.

Young says new rules around pugging, deadlines for re-sowing crop paddocks and paddock slope are ‘’unworkable’’ 

But in a statement DairyNZ says while it shares Federated Farmers concerns about how the Government’s new winter grazing regulations, it does not condone any calls to boycott the rules.

It’s calling for an urgent meeting of all parties “to explore a pathway forward”.

DairyNZ head of South Island Tony Finch says some of the regulations appear to be impractical and unworkable on farm. 

“The timeframes are tight, and clarity is needed on things like how pugging in a paddock would be measured or monitored and defining slope levels of a paddock for regional councils.

“As a sector we need to be using the right channels to work through the issues as we try to find pragmatic solutions that work for everyone. DairyNZ is instead calling an urgent meeting with all parties to explore a pathway forward.

“Dairy farmers share the Government’s aspiration for healthy waterways, but solutions need to be fair and underpinned by robust science. This has always been DairyNZ’s approach. 

“We will continue to engage with Government and councils on farmers’ behalf to ensure that new regulations are pragmatic, and farmers and their businesses have adequate time to adjust.”

DairyNZ says it will also continue to work closely with farmers to improve winter grazing practices.

“Over the last 18 months we have developed and heavily promoted good management practices that are designed to help minimise environmental and animal welfare risks during winter grazing.

“Farmers who need support or guidance can call DairyNZ on 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969).