Environment Canterbury undertook flights over the Waimakariri and Ashburton areas last week to observe how farmers are preparing for the upcoming winter grazing season.
ECan field staff and an industry observer were pleased to see good buffer setbacks, especially in foothill areas, and evidence that most paddocks planted for winter grazing were avoiding more high-risk farm areas with critical source areas.
No areas of serious concern were identified during the flight. Staff are following up with guidance in some situations where buffers appear to have been established within limits set by current rules, but will require careful management over winter and this will need to be evident in their winter grazing management plans.
For more tips on successful winter grazing, visit the ECan website here.