Shift stock, not slop: minimise effluent spills this Moving Day
In the lead-up to Moving Day—1 June—we’re reminding farmers and stock truck drivers of their joint responsibility to prevent effluent spillage on roads. Following best practice prevents our environment from being contaminated and keeps road users safe.
Preparing stock for transport
Moving Day for dairy farmers involves moving stock between farm properties, either by road or by stock truck.
Effluent spillage on roads often occurs when cows are transported too soon after being green fed.
The most important step farmers can take to prevent spillage during this time is to stand stock in a yard with hay, or a paddock with minimal green feed, before they are loaded onto trucks.
We understand farmers need to take animal welfare into consideration and balance timings around when to move stock.
With this in mind, we recommend farmers follow the Ministry of Primary Industries’ Code of Welfare for transporting stock within New Zealand.
The code recommends that farmers:
- stand animals off green feed for at least four hours (but no more than 12 hours) before transport
- provide animals held off-pasture with water and an appropriate alternative feed source (like hay) during their stand-off period
- use a dry, comfortable base, like woodchip or straw, to keep animals clean and supported, and;
- inspect each animal before loading them to ensure they are fit and healthy for transport.
Shift stock, not slop this Moving Day
Truck drivers have a role to play keeping effluent off our roads
Everyone in the supply chain plays an important role in preventing effluent spillage on our roads.
Truck drivers need to continue to make good use of effluent disposal facilities as often as possible and keep in close communication with stock agents or farmers about any changes to pick up times.
There are several stock effluent disposal facilities available around the Waitaha/Canterbury region.
Effluent spillage prohibited
Under Section 15 of the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991, effluent spillage and unauthorised dumping of effluent into the environment is prohibited.
Our northern compliance team leader Brian Reeves said preventing effluent spillage meant avoiding fines and doing right by our environment.
“Just as we are urging farmers to do all they can to prepare their animals for transport, we are urging truck drivers to do everything they can too.
“As well as making use of the disposal facilities around the region, truck drivers should ensure their storage tanks are emptied before re-loading their trucks with stock.”
Under the law, drivers who are found to have let effluent spill into the environment could receive a $750 fine.
“Everyone in the supply chain has a role to play when it comes to preventing spills. This is a timely reminder as we enter peak season for transporting animals between farms for winter grazing."
Read more about effluent management on your farm and during transport.
We all win when effluent doesn’t reach our roads
Minimising effluent spillage protects water and soil quality by preventing contaminants from faecal bacteria and nitrate entering our soil and waterways.
Less contamination means cleaner groundwater, rivers and streams for drinking and recreation. It also helps maintain healthier habitats for wildlife and aquatic life.
To read more about avoiding effluent spillage on our roads and keeping your cows healthy while they travel, visit Dairy NZ.
Report effluent spillage
If you see effluent spillage on our roads, report it as an environmental incident or phone us on 0800 765 588 (24/7).