Exclude stock from waterways, and leave an ungrazed buffer zone around critical source areas. Photo / Supplied
Hawke's Bay Regional Council is continuing its focus on grazing practices ahead of this year's winter season.
"We're putting out a friendly reminder to livestock grazers to operate within the rules so they don't unintentionally become a feedlot," says the regional council's central catchment manager, Brendan Powell.
Farmers are now
much more aware of the impact that poor winter grazing practices have on water quality.
"Grazing of winter crops is particularly important to plan in advance to get right. The result of good winter grazing is a lot less sediment and nutrients finding its way to waterways," adds Mr Powell.
In recent years, primary industry groups and regional councils have had very consistent and combined messaging to land owners on good practice winter crop management.
