About 88 percent of farms photographed in the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) flyover of farms, wetlands and forestry this season were identified as having no issues.

ORC principal compliance specialist Mike Cummings said observations from the first round of flyovers were “really positive”.

“There were lots of good examples of grazing practices including buffer zones, and signs of strategic grazing plans,” he said.

The review of aerial photos focussed on the potential for issues to arise during the winter grazing season, he said. ORC staff consider the current rules, history of issues on the site and other risk factors which may be relevant for the catchment. Consideration is also being given to new winter grazing regulations which come into effect in November. 

Mike said it was obvious from the flyover that the majority of farmers were making a targeted effort to develop protections around the at-risk areas on their properties.

Since the flyovers staff have visited properties identified with the highest risk, which were 12 percent of the observations. No enforcement action will be taken without further assessment and ground investigations, he said.

Issues of concern included crops being planted in critical source areas (CSAs) – where there is a risk of sediment flowing into waterways – and some buffer zones near waterways which were narrower than they should be, ORC compliance manager Tami Sargeant said.

Mike said the biggest challenge for Otago farmers is managing their CSAs to prevent sediment flows into waterways. Intensive winter grazing on steep slopes and the margins of waterways and drains are also risks, he said.

ORC is working with Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Deer NZ, Fonterra and Federated Farmers to support farmers with the information and advice they need to manage their farm with minimal risk to the environment, Tami said.

Two more rounds of flyovers are scheduled, one later this month and a final one in August.

Anyone needing advice about environmental farming practices can contact ORC catchment advisors on 0800 474 and at [email protected]. Anyone who sees pollution of a waterway is encouraged to call the ORC 24/7 pollution hotline on 0800 800 033.

PHOTO: Supplied