Winter grazing monitoring flights planned for South Canterbury
Winter grazing monitoring flights help us identify where we can provide support and recognise the great progress farmers are making to improve practices.
This year’s winter grazing flights – key facts
- Location: South Canterbury
- Timing: Autumn (pre-grazing) and winter (during grazing)
- Aircraft: Fixed-wing
- Who’s involved: Staff members from our Water and Land team will be accompanied by industry representatives
Since 2021, these flyovers have helped us identify where practices may be improved, where we can provide support, and recognise the good work being done.
Focus on critical source areas and buffer zones
In line with the national rules, Critical source areas (CSAs) management and buffer zones should be front of mind ahead of winter.
CSAs are the “boggy spots” in your paddock prone to pugging easily after grazing. These areas can act as a transport pathway for overland drainage into waterways.
It’s crucial these areas are protected to minimise nutrient loss, maintain soil structure and prevent runoff into waterways. This means leaving them in pasture and creating buffer zones around and/or alongside the area. The steeper the area, the bigger the buffer zone should be.
If you have accidentally sown through a CSA, fence them off with temporary standards to stop stock entering. If you are unsure, get in touch with our land management advisors for support.
Last year’s winter grazing flights (Hurunui)
Last year, the flyovers took place in Hurunui. Water and land northern team leader Andrew Arps said his team was encouraged to see many farmers strategically managing winter grazing in line with the national rules.
This included buffer zones to protect waterways and critical source areas (CSAs) being fenced and left in pasture.
"Seeing the improvements from the air gives us a unique perspective on how well farmers are adapting to both regulatory requirements and environmental challenges.
"From that viewpoint, we can decide whether it’s beneficial for a land management advisor to follow up with a landowner on the ground,” Andrew said.
Prepare for winter grazing
Learn at a winter grazing workshop: Find upcoming workshops, practical advice and guidance to help you plan and manage winter grazing.
- Download this pre-winter grazing checklist (PDF file, 5.74MB) created in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary Industries and industry bodies
- Find out more about good management practice for winter grazing
- Read the national rules from Ministry for the Environment