The inspector found many of Rika's 73 calves were in very poor to critical condition, there were also dead carcasses on the property, and no water in the troughs.
There was also minimal grass cover, the gates to the paddocks were open and there were no cattle yards for drenching or other treatments.
Fifteen calves had already died on the property.
Rika was issued with a notice to attend to seven animals and told not transport them off the property without prior consent of a vet or animal welfare inspector.
He ignored the notice and took four calves by road to Mamaku, three of which died or had to be put down.
Defence lawyer Max Simpkins said Rika's offending occurred because he had turned his attention to the needs of his family of six children, particularly his sick wife and new baby, who was born prematurely.
Judge Ingram said it was not a case of "sheer neglect" or deliberate abuse towards the herd.
"It's fair to say this is one of the most unpleasant cases of its kind to reach the Tauranga court, but I have seen far worse cases ... and there are pretty substantial mitigating factors in Mr Rika's favour," the judge said.
Outside court, Rika said he would have defended the charges, but could not afford to so.
He said the summary of facts painted a far worse picture than was the case.
"It came down to two choices, the welfare of my sick wife and new baby and caring for our other children - or the cows, and in my mind there was no contest," he said.
Ministry of Primary Industries spokesperson Brendan Mikkelsen disputed Mr Rika's attempts to play down the charges. The summary of facts and the photographs of calves spoke volumes.
