Environment Canterbury is pleased with its observations of winter grazing across the Ashburton and Waikmakariri Districts.
Environment Canterbury is pleased with its observations of winter grazing across the Ashburton and Waikmakariri Districts. Their feedback to farmers is noted below:
“The regional council undertook two mid-season monitoring flights in July, over Waimakariri and Ashburton, with field staff and industry representatives observing winter grazing in practice. In those flights we saw stock being excluded from waterways with good buffers in place, and effort being put into pugging management with bales laid out prior to grazing, adequate number of troughs and feeders and in more than one case the use of back fencing.
“In general, paddocks had been carefully chosen to avoid critical source areas and where they were evident they were excluded with good buffers. However, in some cases farmers to need to ensure they are appropriately managing these critical source areas by avoiding cultivating, sowing and grazing them over winter as required by the national regulations.
“We identified two farms in each region where it looks like best practices may not have been implemented, and Environment Canterbury staff will be following up with landowners to ensure their winter grazing practices are improved and that no adverse effects on freshwater occur.
“Staff will also be contacting some farmers to acknowledge their efforts in implementing positive practices, especially those who have made considerable improvements after follow-up in the 2022 winter season. Environment Canterbury staff will also ensure that farmers are on track to get resource consent for winter grazing where required.
“Good paddock preparation and winter grazing practices will ensure the effects on freshwater of winter grazing in Canterbury will be minimised over winter, which is especially important given the wet winter and recent heavy rainfall, according to observations made by Environment Canterbury and industry.”
