In the lead up to Gypsy Day the Waikato Regional Council is reminding farmers to stand stock off green feed before they’re transported.
Standing stock off green feed will help keep the region’s roads clear of effluent and safe for users.
“Farmers have a vital role to play in cutting the amount of effluent spilt onto Waikato roads,” said the council’s stock truck effluent coordinator, Isy Kennedy.
“A cow’s daily combined effluent is approximately 52 litres, and a truck effluent tank’s capacity is just 200 litres. It means the spillage of effluent onto roads is a real risk unless farmers in particular take some simple steps ahead of time,” says Kennedy.
The regional council recommends that farmers confirm stock pick-up times in advance to eliminate confusion, move the stock close to the loading ramp the day before, when possible stand stock off green feed for a minimum of four hours (with water) and use dry feed before transport because it results in less effluent.
“Generally farmers and livestock carriers do a good job of moving stock cleanly. But stock truck effluent spillage does still occur on Waikato roads – it’s smelly and unsightly, and has the potential to reach waterways and degrade water quality,” says Kennedy.
