What is intensive winter grazing?
Intensive winter grazing is a farming practice where livestock are grazed on forage crops between 1 May and 30 September.
Annual forage crops are planted to provide feed when there is no or low pasture growth.
When done poorly, it can have serious negative effects on animal welfare and the environment.
Animal welfare concerns
The 2 main risks with winter cropping are that:
- animals can get sick from changing their diet from pasture to crops too quickly
- paddocks can quickly get muddy during long wet periods.
These problems can quickly become animal welfare concerns.
Regulations on intensive winter grazing are in force
Intensive winter grazing regulations were introduced in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-F) as part of the Essential Freshwater reforms.
They were amended in October 2024 to make them more practical for farmers and to reduce compliance costs.
What regulations changed in 2024
The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 amended the intensive winter grazing regulations in the NES-F. The Act repealed the:
- permitted, restricted discretionary, and discretionary regulations and associated conditions
- standalone regulations relating to pugging and ground cover.
The Act introduced new regulations requiring:
- land used for intensive winter grazing to be located at least 5 metres away from any river, lake, wetland, or drain (regardless of whether there is any water in them at the time)
- the protection of critical source areas in relation to land that is used for intensive winter grazing.
Councils may adopt additional intensive winter grazing requirements in their regional plans. You should check whether there are relevant rules in your region.
Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 – NZ Legislation
Requirements in codes of animal welfare must also be met
New Zealand's codes of animal welfare still apply. They generally require that:
- livestock have access to areas that are free of surface water and mud
- animals have protection from adverse weather (like storms)
- livestock are able to lie down and rest comfortably for sufficient periods to meet their behavioural needs.
Animal management: Winter grazing and mud
Guidance and resources on intensive winter grazing
Technical guidance has been published to support people who monitor or advise on managing intensive winter grazing activities.
Guidance on critical source areas, pugging, and ground cover – Ministry for the Environment
Other resources
Smarter wintering in Otago starts in spring – Otago Regional Council [PDF, 1MB]
Intensive winter grazing 2025 – Environment Southland
Intensive winter grazing – DairyNZ
Forage crop grazing – Beef + Lamb NZ
