A fly over of Southland farms this week show most have prepared well for winter gazing, says Environment Southland boss Rob Phillips.

Only three landowners were identified as potentially having some issues that need a closer look on-farm.

The flight covered a large portion of eastern Southland, from Waituna, Fortrose and Waikawa, to Mataura, Waikaka and Riversdale areas.

"I'm really pleased with what the team has seen," says the regional council chief executive Phillips. 

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"These flights help to reinforce that what's being seen from the road isn't always reflective of a breach of rules or environmental damage. 

"Farmers are working hard and understanding the situation, and making a real effort to improve things. This sustained improvement is something that Southland as a whole can be proud of."

One area noted from the flight that could be improved was the grazing of buffers. 

"We noticed that while there were good buffers in place, some had been grazed," Phillips said. "It's important buffers are left ungrazed to remain an effective tool for reducing sediment getting to waterways. 

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"Wet weather is inevitable and while this will present challenges. It will be absolutely critical that farmers continue their focus on good wintering practice and not become complacent."

Phillips said agriculture in Southland is very important to the regional and national economies, but that some farming practices, if not done well, negatively impact water quality. 

"Winter grazing is recognised as a high risk activity with regard to water quality and a lot of effort has gone into providing the advice and information to help farmers understand what is expected of them."

In 2019 a joint approach by the Council, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers, MfE and MPI, was developed to help address the issues around intensive winter grazing. This joint approach has continued again this year.

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Further aerial compliance flights are still to be scheduled to monitor other catchments.

Winter grazing typically involves livestock (eg. cattle, sheep and deer) being ‘strip fed’ forage (such as pasture or crop). 

Animals are given access to a measured area of forage and shifted in a controlled manner. When animals finish grazing one section of forage, the farmer opens up another section (‘strip’). 

Animals may also be given supplementary feed (such as silage or straw) in addition to their forage.

Winter grazing can occur on both dairy and dry stock properties. 

The practice has attracted the ire of some environmentalists and animal welfare groups, when badly managed, and the Government was set to introduce new rules this winter, but has delayed them for another year.