The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / The Country

Having a 'plan B' is key for protecting winter stock - MPI

The Country
4 Jun, 2019 03:00 AM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Photo / Alan Gibson

Photo / Alan Gibson

With winter now starting to bite, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is reminding pastoral livestock farmers of their animal welfare responsibilities, whether animals are kept at home or sent off-farm to graze.

"This time of year can be challenging for farmers, with wet and muddy conditions increasing risks to the welfare of their livestock," said Kate Littin, manager animal welfare.

"Many farmers, particularly in Southland and Otago, choose to break feed stock on crops over the winter months. It's a great way to provide food for animals and protect pastures but does require careful planning and good stockmanship to avoid welfare risks that wet weather can bring.

"New Zealand's codes of animal welfare require livestock to have access to areas free of surface water and mud, and appropriate shelter from adverse weather.

"Animals will refuse to lie down on wet ground and can then become stressed, stop eating, and are more susceptible to lameness."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Littin said there are a number of ways farmers can mitigate risks to animal welfare over winter.

"If there is a spell of extreme weather or prolonged wet conditions, you may need to move your stock off the crop to drier land, and you should plan for this possibility – having a 'plan B' is the key.

"Clean drinking water must be available for animals at all times. Owners are still responsible for the welfare of their stock while they are off-farm for winter grazing and should check on the conditions, including their access to shelter and water.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"When transitioning from pasture to crop and back again, stock can be negatively affected. Ensuring you follow a gradual transition plan when moving your animals will prevent issues."

MPI recommends farmers talk to their vet for help with planning and any animal health concerns.

There are also resources available online to help farmers with their winter grazing management from DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand.

Discover more

Nearly 8000 dairy farms yet to re-register for NAIT

27 May 02:45 AM

M. bovis: Regional support groups wanted

28 May 10:45 PM
Business

Methane targets will challenge livestock sector

03 Jun 10:00 PM

How do ewe tell one sheep from another?

03 Jun 11:41 PM
Save

    Share this article

Latest from The Country

The Country

How NZ is tackling worker protection issues in the primary industries

10 Jul 10:30 PM
The Country

Dog helps find rare bird colony 'not seen for decades'

10 Jul 10:28 PM
live
The Country

'Threat to life': Tasman District upgraded to red warning; flood water enters homes

10 Jul 10:27 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from The Country

How NZ is tackling worker protection issues in the primary industries

How NZ is tackling worker protection issues in the primary industries

10 Jul 10:30 PM

NZ officials are confident in worker protection as Australian breaches surface.

Dog helps find rare bird colony 'not seen for decades'

Dog helps find rare bird colony 'not seen for decades'

10 Jul 10:28 PM
'Threat to life': Tasman District upgraded to red warning; flood water enters homes
live

'Threat to life': Tasman District upgraded to red warning; flood water enters homes

10 Jul 10:27 PM
Mahia Hunt holds final fixture after marking 125th anniversary

Mahia Hunt holds final fixture after marking 125th anniversary

10 Jul 09:05 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP