increase font size
Cows in a muddy paddock in Southland last year. Photo: Angus Robson.
A Waikato environmentalist who led a public campaign against poor winter grazing practices on Southland farms says farmers are making improvements.
Angus Robson, who recently visited Southland farms “just for a look”, is happy with progress being made.
He told Rural News that following the public campaign farmers are looking at winter grazing “with a new set of eyes”.
“Lots of things have improved…it is a journey and we expect more improvements this season,” he says.
Last year’s campaign highlighted cows in knee-deep mud while feeding on winter crops, fodder beet and kale. The campaign included drone footage.
Environment Southland, which launched its first surveillance flight over Southland farms this month, is also reporting improved winter grazing practices.
Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips says early observations from the preliminary flight suggest a better uptake of good management practices, such as fencing of waterways and the creation of buffer zones, with no immediate compliance concerns identified.
“I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen. Farmers appear to have made a real effort, which is exactly what we need.
“We are mindful that it’s still early in the season and this was only a preliminary flight to get an indication of any issues. Wet weather is inevitable and while this will present challenges, we expect farmers to continue their focus on good wintering practice.”
Robson says he visited dairy farms two weeks ago and was accompanied by Federated Farmers Southland president Geoffrey Young to some farms.
“We visited some farms with Federated Farmers and visited some farms ourselves. We also had conversations with some progressive farmers in the region.”
Robson praised Federated Farmers for launching a 0800 number where anyone can report farms with poor winter grazing practices. The Feds send a support crew to the farm to help the farmer with winter grazing practices.
He says most poor winter grazing practices can been seen from the road but acknowledged drones were used on some farms.
“Ninety per cent of farms can be seen from the road; we do get some drone footage supplied by other parties.”
Environment Southland inspected 145 farms from the air last season. It advised farmers last year that winter grazing practices needed to be significantly improved. A taskforce made up of the council, DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers, MfE and MPI, was set up to help address the issues.
Phillips said agriculture in Southland is very important to the regional and national economies, but that some farming practices, if not done well, negatively impact water quality.
“Winter grazing is a high risk activity with regard to water quality and all farmers need to undertake good management practice.”
Phillips says staff are still working through the information and photos gathered during this month’s flight.
“At this stage it looks like we will be looking to arrange follow up advice for a handful of properties that could be at risk of winter grazing issues in wetter weather.”
Rural Support Waikato is inviting farmers, growers, and rural communities to take a well-earned break and join us for 'Brunch on Us' - a series of all-sector, relaxed drop-in events across the region.
Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
