The Otago Regional Council is urging dairy farmers, sharemilkers and truckies to keep southern roads and waterways safe and free of effluent during Gypsy Week.
During the annual winter grazing and farm changeover, which happens from now until early next month, many sharemilkers will be shifting stock around Southland, Central Otago and North Otago.
To reduce the risk of effluent spilling on to roads, the council is reminding all dairy farmers transferring stock to ensure animals are prepared properly before cartage, by standing them off green feed overnight.
Asked if farmers were getting this message about standing stock, council director environmental monitoring and operations Scott MacLean believed there was growing awareness.
"I would like to think that the message is getting out,'' he said yesterday.
Trucking firms were also advising their farmer clients about the need to stand stock.
Reducing effluent on roads required effective teamwork between farmers, by standing stock, and truckies, by ensuring effluent tanks on trucks were not allowed to overflow.
The council was trying to contribute in a positive manner by increasing the number of effluent disposal tanks in Otago, and making it easier for truckies to dispose of effluent.
"We have seven effluent storage tank sites in Otago, and propose to build more of these sites over the next few years,'' he said.
Truck-borne movement of stock was ``very concentrated'' at this time of the year.
"There's a lot of stock on the road.''
"There's a risk that the effluent might end up being washed into a waterway,'' he added.
Motorists often complained to the council at this time of the year because their cars had been soiled by effluent spilled on local roads.
Effluent spillages were hazardous as roads could become slippery and treacherous, and more so during frosts, particularly for motorcyclists.
Farmers and truckies needed to take the necessary steps to avoid spills.
Everyone involved in moving stock should be "aware of their environmental impact'', he said.
Anyone concerned that effluent had entered a waterway was asked to call the council's pollution hotline on 0800 800 033.
