Council’s regional survey of winter crops for animal consumption will begin at the end of the month.

From May 28, staff will carry out a visual survey of winter crops to gather information on what types of crops are grown, crop locations and also find out where stock are feeding in proximity to waterways.

This will be the fourth year Council has carried out the survey, aimed at informing local farmers on crop types and trends, as well assist in the development of farm environment plans.

Like last year, the data will be digitized directly in the field using specialist software and hand held tablets for greater efficiency and accuracy.

Land is surveyed across Motu and Matawai, the east coast as far north as Hicks Bay, south to the Tiniroto area and part of the Poverty Bay flats and surrounding areas.

The 2017 survey showed a slight decrease in winter crops planted, with 2077 hectares planted compared to the 2016 survey of 2212 hectares.

Plantain was the major crop type planted followed by leafy turnip, chicory and Kale.

Of particular interest to surveyors is where animals are break feeding in large numbers, and identifying where there may be risks to waterways.

The Gisborne Regional Freshwater Plan identifies rules for excluding stock from within 5 – 10 meters of a waterway where break-feeding is occurring. The rule came into effect from 1 July 2017.

Landowners can help by providing council with details of their winter crops.

For further information or to access the survey form, email Olive.Steven@gdc.govt.nz or telephone 06 8672049.

ENDS

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