This month, Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said compliance from farmers was excellent. Environment Minister David Parker said this season councils were expected to increase monitoring and reporting of intensive winter grazing practices across their regions, and encouraged practices as outlined by the 2021/22 Intensive Winter Grazing module. “I have made it clear I expect councils to monitor the total hectares in IWG, and I expect a reduction in the quantity of IWG and an improvement in the quality of winter grazing practice. “I understand that [Ministry for the Environment] have received feedback that councils are making progress in their increased monitoring,’’ he said.