Edmonds Judd

Animals

When your livestock are grazing away from your property, your legal obligations as their owner under the Animal Welfare Act don’t go on holiday. It’s your duty to ensure their care meets the required standards, and that means staying actively involved in their well-being.

Here’s why regular checks and oversight are non-negotiable:

  1. Weighing and Monitoring
    Insist that the grazier regularly weighs your animals and provides detailed reports. But don’t just rely on the numbers—attend these weighing sessions periodically to verify the accuracy of the data and get a firsthand look at your animals’ condition.
  2. Feed and Water
    Livestock require enough feed to maintain good health and condition. Check that they have consistent access to high-quality, clean water to prevent dehydration and support overall well-being.
  3. Safe Surroundings
    Ensure the grazing environment is safe, free from hazards, and appropriate for the type of stock being grazed. Unsafe conditions can lead to injuries, poor health, and stress for your animals.
  4. Signs of Illness or Injury
    Early detection is key to preventing long-term issues. Look for signs of lameness or other health concerns. Timely treatment can make the difference between a full recovery and chronic problems like susceptibility to bone damage or ongoing mobility issues.
  5. Correct Handling
    Observe how your animals are being handled. Poor handling practices can lead to stress, injuries, or behavioural issues. It’s your responsibility to ensure they’re treated with care and respect.
  6. Accountability
    Don’t take a “set and forget” approach to sending livestock out for grazing. Visit them regularly to ensure the care described by the grazier matches the reality. This keeps the grazier accountable and ensures you’re meeting your obligations as an owner.
  7. Development of Young Stock
    For young stock, this period is critical to their growth and development. Regular monitoring ensures they’re meeting weight targets, growing at a healthy pace, and building the foundation for a productive future.

Ultimately, livestock owners must remain hands-on, even when animals are in someone else’s care. Regular checks safeguard their well-being and ensure you’re compliant with the Animal Welfare Act. After all, your animals rely on you to advocate for their welfare, wherever they are.


As the summer sun blazes, it’s a timely reminder to step up and meet our animal welfare responsibilities, whether you’re a dedicated farmer or a devoted pet owner. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Codes of Welfare provide the essential roadmap, setting minimum standards for animal care and offering best practices to help you go above and beyond.

Summer brings unique challenges for animals, and heat stress is a major concern. For pets, never leave them in cars, even for a short time—internal temperatures skyrocket, creating a life-threatening situation. Adequate ventilation and shade are equally crucial indoors to keep your furry friends comfortable.

For farmers, the stakes are high, especially for dairy cows. According to DairyNZ, cows thrive in temperatures between 4-20°C. Above this, they begin to experience heat stress, exacerbated by the energy-intensive process of digesting food and producing milk. As temperatures rise, they absorb more heat from their surroundings, making it harder to maintain their body weight and productivity.

Combatting heat stress means getting strategic. Ensure your grazing plan allows cows access to shade, such as tree cover, during the hottest parts of the day. Keep plenty of fresh, clean water available and adjust feeding practices to help them stay cool and maintain their condition.

This summer, let’s prioritise our animals’ comfort and well-being. To ensure you are on the right track, dive into the Codes of Welfare on MPI’s website. And if you are after expert advice tailored to your needs, our friendly team at Edmonds Judd is just a call away. Let’s make this summer safe and stress-free for all!

 

Fiona Jack