Gypsy Day reminder: Stand the stock

21 May 2012

With large numbers of cows about to hit the road as the new financial year heralds a change of location for many in the dairy sector, farmers in Taranaki are being reminded of the need to stand stock before they are transported.

Stock should be stood before trucking to reduce the amount of effluent they produce in transit. Any effluent lost from stock trucks threatens the environment and presents a risk and nuisance to other road users.

“Farmers and transport operators in this region generally have a good record when it comes to moving stock, and we all want to see this continue,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Director-Resource Management, Fred McLay.

“The Taranaki Regional Council has worked in partnership with district councils, the NZ Transport Agency and other agencies to install stock truck effluent disposal sites at Ahititi, Inglewood, Stratford and Waverley, and they are working well. The best way to keep these working well is for farmers to continue doing their bit to minimise the effluent stock produce while in trucks.”

Mr McLay says transport operators need to give farm clients accurate and timely notification of pick-up times, and also ensure that truck effluent tanks are empty before picking up new stock.

Stock should be stood off green feed, with water, for at least four hours before transport. Dry feed (such as hay, grain or meal) can be used where standing stock is difficult or stock are being transported long distances.

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