Mooving advice never too late

Mooving Day heralds the start of the dairy season each year on 1 June (King’s Birthday) and South

Wairarapa District Council asks farmers to follow guidance when relocating animals on this day and any time stock are being relocated. 

This is to protect residential zones and roads that can be impacted by these events.

“Moving Day is an incredibly important activity for farmers each year. We want to remind farmers to move the cattle in a respectful manner and be aware of the impact that moving day can have on the community so that people’s property and safety are protected as well as the community’s infrastructure,” says Stefan Corbett, Group Manager of Infrastructure and Community Operations for SWDC.

“There have been some difficulties on occasion and we want to see a smooth transition of farm animals from one property to another when they walk through the community.”

Moving stock goes more smoothly with enough drovers on hand to help control the gentle movement around the village on roads and residential streets, says Corbett.

Checklist for farmers moving stock:

Alert the community – about the moving day when and where possible.

Be aware of the impact – moving stock can have on the community.

Cattle – can cause damage to berms, roads and even properties, if there have been heavy

rains, if gates are open or plants are on the route of the stock.

Drovers – can help to control the movement of the stock. Those in charge of moving days should  ensure they have sufficient numbers of people on hand as stock guides.

Etiquette – it’s important to keep in mind so the community feels aware of the challenges of

moving for both farmers and animals.

Facebook and flyers – let locals know that stock may be heading down residential streets so gates can be closed. 

Flyers in letterboxes prior to stock movement at any time will advise residents to shut gates and be aware of passing stock.