Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips says overall farmers have made correct management decisions with their forage crops in preparation for winter grazing.
The flight, involving council, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ staff, covered 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.
“I am very pleased that it appears most farmers have made some good decisions and prepared well for winter grazing this year,” Phillips said.
“Those on the flight report that on the whole, there is good buffering and critical source area management in place.”
He says even though farmers have been given a year’s reprieve from the Government’s proposed new intensive winter grazing rules, the practice will be in the spotlight this winter.
“All farmers need to be well prepared and not become complacent,” he said.
The council’s land sustainability staff will meet the owners of six paddocks where there could be environmental issues.
The flight also involved three unspecified potential compliance violations which will be pursued.
“Not all of these were related to winter grazing,” he said.
