Thirty calves and 150 cows have been euthanised on a West Coast farm after the dairy herd was found in "various stages of starvation".
The Ministry for Primary Industries inspected the leasehold farm at Rotomanu last week and found several dead cows.
Westland Milk Products has stopped collecting milk from the property, after earlier attempts to help the farmer apparently failed.
The SPCA said today it had received complaints about the farmer for just over five years, and had referred them to the ministry.
Another person told the Greymouth Star he had complained about the farmer three years ago after animals died. He said ministry officials visited and acted but did not prosecute.
The ministry declined to comment today on whether it had kept an eye on the farmer since those complaints.
Canterbury-Westland compliance manager Peter Hyde said, in relation to the current case, their investigator immediately sought assistance from local veterinarians, a dairy farm consultant and additional animal welfare officers.
"An assessment of the herd was made by the vets. It was established that a large number of cows were in such an emaciated state that they were unlikely to survive the coming days.
"The problem was compounded by most of the cows either being in calf or having recently calved."
The 150 cows and 30 calves were humanely euthanised on the property by investigators under the supervision of a veterinarian.
A further 60 cows judged fit enough to be transported were trucked to the meatworks.
"Our primary concern is for the approximately 700 cows that remain on the property. (Ministry) investigators and dairy farm consultants are working with the owner of the property to ensure their welfare is being met."
Westland Milk Products chairman Matt O'Regan said the co-operative had tried to help the farmer, but it looked as though none of its advice was taken up.
The board had resolved to cease milk collection until the ministry advised that animal welfare had improved and could be maintained. Cessation of milk collection was allowed for in the company's code of practice protocols included in its terms of supply, which came into effect only last month.
"We are disappointed that it has come to this. Nobody wants to see animals suffering, and it is so unnecessary when help is and has been available from us and organisations like Federated Farmers and Dairy New Zealand. Unfortunately, it appears none of the advice was taken up and the winter has seen the situation deteriorate rapidly."
Mr O'Regan said the circumstances leading to the animal welfare issue at Rotomanu were multi-faceted and would require careful analysis to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, Mr Hyde said it was alleged that breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 had occurred, but as yet the ministry had not charged any party.
Attempts to talk to the farmer were unsuccessful.
- Laura Mills, Greymouth Star
