Wintering plan

The following provides information around winter grazing to create a plan for managing this activity.

With regard to the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan (currently with the Environment Court) Rule 20 – Farming sets out a requirement to have a farm environment plan and if there is intensive winter grazing undertaken on the property then certain conditions must be met to comply with this rule. These conditions, along with other considerations such as cultivation (Rule 25) would form the basis of a winter grazing management plan. Please note that a separate winter grazing management plan is not a requirement under the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan, but planning for this activity would form a part of the farm environment plan.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has developed a module to help achieve immediate improvements in intensive winter grazing practices in 2021.

It highlights practical solutions farmers can take to mitigate the effects of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter months.

The module will be used to inform intensive winter grazing components of existing and new farm plans.

MPI has created a template for a comprehensive intensive winter grazing plan, and background information if needed:

Download the MPI Intensive Winter Grazing Module Template

Download the background information on the MPI Intensive Winter Grazing Module