Dairy farmers urged to stand stock before shifting

'Stand cows before you put them on the road' is the message to dairy farmers, sharemilkers and truckies shifting stock from one farm to another during 'gypsy week'.

An estimated 50 sharemilking shifts are expected to take place in Otago and Southland around 1 June, as part of the annual changeover. The Otago Regional Council is urging everyone involved to make sure stock are prepared properly before cartage by standing them overnight, to minimise effluent spillage on local roads.

"Throughout the country, spillage of animal waste from cartage trucks can be dangerous and inconvenient to other road users," Director Resource Management Dr Selva Selvarajah said. "Overfilling truck effluent storage tanks, and no storage tanks on trucks can also contribute to spillage."

To help alleviate the problem, a network of effluent disposal sites has been set up in Otago, allowing stock trucks to off-load waste, rather than letting it spill over roads. Six sites are located along State Highway One between Oamaru and Clinton, and another opened recently at Raes Junction.

Road users can report stock effluent spills by phoning the Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033. For more information on stock effluent disposal seewww.orc.govt.nz ->Environmental Management->Waste

Media contact
Dr Selva Selvarajah
Director Resource Management
03 474 0827 or 0274 338 500