Having the pleasure of joining our neighbours when they bring their livestock “off the island” (Tautuku Peninsula) is always one of the highlights in our calendar. The gods need to align the low tides to the premium time, weather and general ‘attitude’ of the stock being moved. They have a walk of around 15km to get from the peninsula to the farm. Access to the peninsula is via the beach at low tide, with a river crossing, just to make it more interesting! The mob is mustered from the block using the farm working dogs. On occasion a breakaway faction need to be persuaded that being part of the larger flock is the best option. Interesting Stat - There are about 200,000 working farm dogs in New Zealand. The dogs all have different functions - some are stealthy and will work wide to bring in the flock, others will bark, and all understand and follow commands to stand, to move left or right or to move back to the handler to wait. These commands are issued verbally or via a dog w...
