About 125 cows were stuck in mud to the extent they couldn't display normal animal behaviour, MPI says. Photo: Supplied / MPI
A Southland livestock grazing company has been fined close to $50,000 for allowing hundreds of cattle to graze in mud.
FFPM Grazing Limited pleaded guilty to four charges under the Animal Welfare Act in October 2024 and was sentenced in the Invercargill District Court today.
The company was also ordered to pay the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) $15,000 in costs.
MPI director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said the winter grazing practices at this property were appalling.
"Many of these animals, around 125, were stuck in mud to the extent that they were not able to display normal animal behaviour like walking and turning freely to access feed or rest in dry areas," he said.
"The farm was running more than 2,000 head of stock on a relatively small area of land, and this contributed to the creation of mud and animal welfare problems."
Animal Welfare Inspectors visited a leased property near Tuatapere following a complaint about the animals there.
"Their coats were caked in mud, they didn't have a suitable dry lying area and when they were lying down, they were lying in mud. There's little insulation for an animal in mud and the animals were susceptible to the cold," Burrell said.
"MPI's investigation found that former farm workers at the property had warned the company and directors who leased the property against using silage stacks. The property owner reiterated these concerns to one of the grazing company directors, but no action was taken.
"Silage stacks concentrate feed in one area, meaning the animals have to walk to that same area to access feed which potentially creates more mud. The better practice is to move silage regularly to dry areas for the animals."
Cows grazing in mud on a Southland farm. Photo: Supplied / MPI
MPI also discovered that a cow had died in the mud but the company had not made changes to its grazing.
MPI said both farm workers who initially warned the company resigned from their jobs. Three new farm workers were employed, and they were directed to move dairy cows to pasture areas only on dry days.
Two farm workers became so concerned about the welfare of the animals they moved stock out of the muddy paddocks, but the company reacted by directing them to return the animals to the muddy paddocks, MPI said.
When the cows were lying down they were in mud. Photo: Supplied / MPI
"We continue to engage with farmers and industry about winter grazing and have seen some good progress. We proactively visited around 20 proactive properties throughout Southland during winter 2024 and found most farmers were on top of their winter grazing requirements with good plans in place," Burrell said.
"Our message to those who do not properly manage this issue is that there will be consequences."
MPI encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.
