Cultivation flight shows good preparation

Last week Environment Southland, with support from DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, flew over a large part of Southland checking the paddocks in preparation for winter grazing.

Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said he is very pleased that once again most farmers have made good decisions, planned well and are prepared for winter.

“Those on the flight reported that on the whole there is good buffer and critical source area management in place.”

The team looked at paddocks to ensure critical source areas were left uncultivated, buffer zones were in place by waterways, and feed crops were being used to keep vegetation between waterways and animals. They were also checking to see whether crop paddocks look like they could pose an increased risk of overland flow during adverse weather.

The flight route included most of the eastern half of the Mataura catchment, northern Southland including the Mossburn area, and the Oreti catchment including the rolling country of the Hokonui Hills (Otapiri).

“We have six paddocks that are being followed up by our land sustainability team and there are a further three compliance issues being followed up directly by the compliance team. It appears that none of the issues relate to winter grazing,” Rob Phillips said. “This is a very good start to the season, but farmers need to remain vigilant and manage the risks.”

Environment Southland’s land sustainability team is available to talk through winter grazing plans with farmers, or they can give their industry reps a call.

A second flight to cover more of Southland is likely to take place within the next couple of weeks.

Southland has a very coordinated approach to supporting farmers with winter grazing practice. The Council is working alongside industry groups DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Federated Farmers who are also pleased about the positive progress farmers have made ahead of this winter.

The groups support farmers to take a proactive approach and encourage them to prepare and plan ahead now, including having a clear written plan for this winter and knowing what to do when adverse weather strikes.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ will be providing farmers with further advice, tools and resources over winter.

More information and wintering resources can found at: dairynz.co.nz/wintering and beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing