The first day of June is a big deal in our community because it’s Mooving Day. This means farmers relocate animals, typically from one farm to another, for the start of the dairy season.

Our Council asks farmers to follow our guidelines when they relocate animals on Mooving Day or any time they need to move stock.

“Mooving Day is an incredibly important activity for farmers each year and we’re really mindful of their need to relocate stock as well as our responsibility to protect residential zones and paper roads, which can be impacted by this event,” says Stefan Corbett, Group Manager of Infrastructure & Community Operations for South Wairarapa District Council.

“The Council wants to see a smooth transition of farm animals from one property to another when they walk through the community and to help farmers, we have guidelines.”

Mooving Day guidelines

• Adequate numbers of drovers on hand to help control the gentle movement of livestock around the village on paper roads and some residential streets.

• Alert the community about mooving day when and where possible.

• Be aware of the impact that mooving day can have on the community.

• Cattle can cause damage to berms, paper roads and even properties, if there have been heavy rains, if gates are open or plants are on the walking route of the livestock.

• Etiquette means keeping the community in mind so that they know about Mooving Day.

• Facebook and flyers – are a good way to let residents know when stock may be heading down residential streets so people can close gates where possible. Flyers can be dropped in letterboxes prior to Mooving Day on 1 June or any time stock are being moved.