increase font size
Environment Southland will take to the skies next month for the first aerial compliance inspection of with winter grazing season.
The first aerial compliance inspection of the winter grazing season in Southland will start next month.
Environment Southland acting compliance manager, Donna Ferguson, says the flights were an opportunity to see if the high levels of preparation observed during February and March cultivation flights are being followed by continued good practice.
"Many landowners have undertaken a lot of work and planning to improve intensive winter grazing practices in the region and we hope to see it come to fruitiion during the next few months," says Ferguson.
"Environment Southland is collaborating with farmers and other agencies to improve wintering practices but will take compliance action, where necessary," she says.
Flights are planned for the start of each winter month and will follow paths guided by known areas of concern and incidents reported, as well as locations noted during the cultivation flights.
Roadside assessments, which were introduced earlier this year, will also continue through the winter months.
The compliance team will follow up on any issues identified during the aerial and roadside assessments.
Anyone who sees something they're concerned about environmentally should get in touch with Environment Southland directly, it says.
"We will then be able to assess the issues raised, provide advice and follow up with the landowner if necessary," Ferguson says.
"Providing advice and education is a high priority for the compliance team because our past experience has shown that the best outcomes come from working with others."
The compliance team will be accompanied by staff from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Covid-19 protocols allowing, to inspect the animal welfare side of winter grazing.
OPINION: Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrick and colleagues who continue the good fight against bureaucratic madness on behalf of farmers, have had another win - for now, at least - getting a court decision granting a 'stay' on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until changes can be made to section 70 of the RMA by central goverment, somtheing they clearly signaled after the election.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
Environment Southland says it has now ring-fenced $375,000 for new funding initiatives, aimed at enhancing water quality.
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.
