MPI said prosecution for animal welfare offences was likely. Photo: RNZ / Sally Round
Changes have been made to this story on 26 July after feedback from Federated Farmers and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
MPI staff are on Friday back at a farm where winter grazing practices were so bad seven cows had to be euthanised last month.
Following a complaint about the Riverton farm, near Invercargill, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal welfare officers found about 2000 cows surrounded by mud with insufficient water.
There are about 500 cows on the property now.
MPI director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said the operation and investigation on the farm was continuing, and MPI's animal welfare team would be back on Friday.
"Three mobs are currently being moved to dry paddocks with good pasture. These cows had been grazing at the property and are being moved to these dry paddocks because of the mud they were in.
"The next step will be to transport them back to the dairy farms they came from."
Burrell said MPI had hired a dairy farm consultant to help ensure the animals' welfare.
An independent vet was also being used to help inform ongoing work.
Burrell said while MPI's investigation was ongoing, and prosecution for animal welfare offences was likely, its top priority for now was ensuring the animals' well-being.
"In recent weeks, MPI has undertaken 20 proactive visits of farms across Southland to look at winter grazing practices, and the majority of farmers are doing well."