Effluent Management Practices Urged for Southern Dairy Farmers on Moving Day

As Moving Day approaches for southern dairy farmers, significant emphasis is being placed on the implementation of best practices to ensure road safety and protect water quality. This tradition, which involves the relocation of dairy herds between farm properties, begins on May 1 and spans several weeks.

Portfolio lead Councillor Andrew Noone has stressed the importance of standing off livestock for a minimum of four to twelve hours before transportation to minimize effluent-related risks. "The emphasis is on farmers standing their stock before moving, and on trucking companies making full use of roadside effluent disposal sites," Cr Noone stated.

Effluent from stock trucks can pose hazards to road users and contribute to the pollution of nearby waterways. To mitigate these risks, the Otago Regional Council, in cooperation with local authorities, operates nine roadside effluent disposal sites. These include six on State Highway 1 between Pukeuri and Clinton, and three on inland highways at Raes Junction, Brassknocker Road, and Tarras.

Farmers are advised to keep their herds away from roadside drains during movements to prevent sediment and effluent from entering waterways. Cows should be kept off green feed for at least four hours, but not more than twelve, prior to loading. This practice helps reduce effluent output during transport.

For animal welfare, DairyNZ recommends using a grazed-out paddock or a stand-off pad instead of a concrete surface, which can cause discomfort and is unsuitable for resting.