Careless farmer

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 17, 27 September 1983, Page 2

Careless farmer

After recently travelling through a newly developing forest and farming area west of Raetihi, I was astounded by the lack of concern and inhumanestaridards relating to stock. The area in question consists mainly of grass, of which there is no abundance, fast developing pine trees and quantities of dying fern. Within an area of approximately two miles 1 counted nine dead sheep and four dead lambs, all of which were showing evidene of decomposing. Besides the rotting carcasses were indications of their premature young aborted at their sides. I, along with many others l'm sure, cannot accept cruelty and neglect by farmers. Not everybody has the opportunity to run or own farms and it's pitiful to see livestock dying in masses because the person responsible just doesn't care. Generally in this area, farmers have high respect for their land and their

stock, but never have I seen such ignorance of animal behaviour. 1 ask the farmer concerned to take a look at his stock and consider the consequences of the rotting carcasses in water drains, and all those tiny white bones piled up in heaps under the trees. If there is any possible logical explanation for such mass careless treatment, perhaps it would help me to understand the motives. Concerned and Curious