Council chief executive Rob Phillips says while most farmers are using good management practices the seven have issues such as back fencing and buffer zones with waterways that need improvement.
After a relatively dry start to winter wet weather will inevitably arrive and he urges farmers to manage critical source areas and buffers, especially after heavy rain.
A joint approach by Environment Southland, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, Federated Farmers, the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries was developed last year to tackle winter grazing issues in Southland.
Last winter farmers were targeted by environmentalists who published photographs on social media of wintering practices they felt were unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Otago Regional Council will next week do aerial inspections to monitor for sediment disturbance to water from farming, forestry and other land users.
“Teams will follow up on non-compliance identified from the air with responses ranging from education and advice through to enforcement notices and prosecution,” regulatory manager Richard Saunders said.
