26 August 2021: Government defers introducing tougher winter grazing rules - again (RNZ)
Article excerpts:
The government has pushed intensive winter grazing rules back by another six months. The government has pushed them back another six months until November 2022. The move is part of proposed changes to winter grazing regulations the government has just released for consultation.
26 August 2021: Proposed winter grazing regulation changes a win for farmers (Stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
Proposed winter grazing regulations deemed “unworkable” by farming groups are being reconsidered by the Government.The Government has proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management that includes doing away with compulsory sowing dates in favour of an “as soon as practical” approach.
18 August 2021: South's first winter grazing contract (Dairy News)
Article excerpts:
Environment Southland has granted its first winter grazing consent under the new National Environmental Standards for Freshwater. The consent was granted to Dairy Holdings Limited with a series of conditions to ensure the best outcomes for water quality.
12 August 2021: Groundswell NZ presents petition on 'unworkable regulations' to parliament (Stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
A Groundswell NZ co-founder has presented the group’s petition against what it calls “unworkable regulations’’ for farmers to the Government. Last month, Groundswell NZ took to the streets alongside thousands of supporters in around 50 towns across New Zealand to protest against regulations, including compulsory sowing dates, winter grazing rules and the "ute tax". On Thursday, group co-founder Laurence Paterson and Rural Advocacy Network chairman Jamie McFadden presented a petition, calling for a review of some regulations, to the Environment select committee.
07 August 2021: Balancing act to maintain tight budgets while ensuring resources (Stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
As some farmers start to think about cultivation for next season’s wintering and whether they might need a consent, have a look at the new online tools developed by Environment Southland. There’s a map to assist with paddock selection and strategic grazing decisions, as well as a checklist to help determine whether a resource consent is required. If it is, farmers can now start their application online, through our website.
07 August 2021: Winter grazing scrutinised again (Rural Life)
Article excerpts:
In a presentation at the Environmental Defence Society annual conference in Christchurch yesterday, he showcased examples of bad practice in the South. Video showed runoff and sediment in Otago, Southland and Fiordland flowing into wetland, lakes and waterways, while cows trudged through thick mud and drank from their own waste-water.
Read it here at Rural Life ODT
04 August 2021: Intensive winter grazing improves but not all councils have data on its use (RNZ)
Article excerpts:
Intensive winter grazing practices have improved but more effort needs to go into compliance and monitoring activities by regional councils, a new report has found.
03 August 2021: Winter grazing reports encouraging (Dairy News)
Article excerpts:
DairyNZ says it is encouraged by reports of good winter grazing practices this year, with farmers nudging other farmers to deliver on good practice too.
30 July 2021: On the Farm - a wrap of farming conditions around NZ (RNZ)
Article excerpts:
Find out about current winter framing conditions from around the country.
20 July 2021: DairyNZ's head consulting officer for the South Island says they are generally encouraged by the reports about way that Southland farmers are dealing with winter grazing (ruralnewsgroup.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
Few complaints from the public are being received about poor winter grazing management. A few unfortunate images of farmers not doing the right thing in respect of winter grazing do not give an accurate picture of what is actually happening in the region. He says the vast majority of farmers are responding incredibly well and are better prepared now than ever before
Read it here at ruralnewsgroup
16 July 2021: Environment and rural activists fill city centre for Howl of a Protest (stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
Rural and environmental protesters have filled the centre of Palmerston North for an afternoon of action.
Hundreds joined the city's Howl of a Protest on Friday from throughout the region as part of the nationwide protest that gridlocked towns and cities.
Organised by farmer action group Groundswell NZ, the protestors called for a halt on new government regulations affecting agriculture, including the “ute tax”, new freshwater regulations, winter grazing rules and indigenous biodiversity regulations. (source: stuff.co.nz)
15 July 2021: Commitment to improving winter grazing practice remains strong (Environment Southland)
Article excerpts:
Chief executive Rob Phillips said the Council takes the issues related to intensive winter grazing seriously and is working hard with others to support farmers to achieve good wintering practice and takes compliance action, where necessary. Unfortunately, the recent publicity about poor winter grazing practice cuts across that work.
So far this season Environment Southland has investigated a total of 18 incidents/properties related to intensive winter grazing: 14 reviewed and confirmed as no breaches; 1 confirmed; 3 still being investigated. Following last week’s aerial inspection a further 3 will be investigated.(source Environment Southland)
15 July 2021: Horizons Regional Council flyovers record Rangitīkei winter grazing practices (NZ Herald)
Article excerpts:
Horizons Regional Council is taking a closer look - from the air - at winter grazing practices in the Rangitīkei River catchment. (source NZ Herald)
Read it here at nzherald.co.nz
15 July 2021: Images of distressed animals misleading, council says (Radio New Zealand)
Article excerpts:
Images of distressed animals deep in mud have circulated on social media in recent weeks.
But Southland Regional Council chief executive Rob Phillips said some of them were not from this winter and many appeared to be taken outside of Southland.
"We want to follow up and address any poor practice, but when those circulating the images aren't prepared to tell us where the properties are, it lets everyone down and certainly doesn't help to improve the situation, he said.
"Some of the images being shared are not from this winter and many don't appear to be in Southland." (source RNZ)
14 July 2021: Agriculture Minister Damian O'Connor pleased with intensive winter grazing improvement in Southland (stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has commended Southland farmers who have made improvements to winter grazing practices and says they are doing a great job to protect New Zealand’s reputation.
O’Connor said: “From all accounts it’s been a wetter winter than last year in Southland and MPI [Ministry for Primary Industries] investigations responding to public concerns have found no animal welfare breaches this so far this winter. (source Stuff.co.nz)
14 July 2021: Farmer protest gains traction throughout the country (stuff.co.nz)
Article excerpts:
The protest is being held in more than 50 towns and cities around the country with Groundswell founding members Bryce McKenzie and Laurie Paterson leading the protest in Gore.
While the group want their voices to be heard, Robertson said they won’t be doing anything too radical.
‘’We’re not going to light hay bales or go mad.
‘’We’re trying to make a point, and the more people that turn up the bigger the point.’’ (source Stuff.co.nz)
10 July 2021: Animal welfare campaigners condemn Otago, Southland farmers caught grazing stock on substandard paddocks (Newshub)
Article excerpts:
Animal welfare campaigners are claiming too many Otago and Southland farms are putting stock through stress by grazing them on substandard paddocks.
The Environment Minister has admitted video provided to Newshub is damaging to New Zealand's 'clean green' image. (source Newshub)