A practical give-away for important stock message

Bay of Plenty farmers now have an easy way to remember what they can do to reduce stock effluent spills on the region’s roads.

Federated Farmers and Environment Bay of Plenty have developed a practical give-away that carries the important stock message. It is a sturdy, waterproof container for storing Animal Status Declaration/Bovine Tb cards in at the farm loading race. It has a message on it that reminds farmers to stand stock off food for at least four hours before the truck arrives to pick them up.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers chairman Derek Spratt says stock effluent spillage is a health, road safety and environmental issue, which reflects badly on both the trucking and farming industries.

Because of this, the farming and farm servicing industries, regional and district councils, and roading authorities have joined forces to sort out the issue in the Bay of Plenty. One of the key actions is to provide in-transit dump station facilities for the disposal of effluent from truck storage tanks. A facility is likely to be built at Waiotahi near Opotiki this year, with another possible in the western part of the region.

However, the construction of dump stations will not solve the problem alone because of the large quantity of effluent generated during transit, Mr Spratt says. The quantity is greatly reduced if stock are stood for several hours before transportation.

“We strongly encourage farmers to stand stock off pasture or crop for a minimum of four hours before they are scheduled for pick up. We are also asking stock agents to give farmers adequate warning of transport arrangements to allow time for this to happen.”

Standing stock benefits farmers as empty stock travel better. Because animals are less stressed, meat quality is improved. It has little effect on carcass weight and in some cases farmers may receive better prices for clean, well-presented stock.

Bay of Plenty farmers can call Federated Farmers on 07 578 5039 for a card holder.

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