A Southland farming leader is pointing the finger at animal rights activists over the disappearance of electric fence reels from winter-grazing paddocks.
However, a police spokesman said there was no evidence the reels had been taken by activists.
Police urged farmers using electric fence reels for winter grazing to remain vigilant following the theft of several single and triple reels from paddocks near the road in Drummond, Dipton and Ryal Bush in the past four weeks.
"We recommend reels are placed as far away from the roadside as possible, and keeping them out of the sight of potential thieves," police warned in a social media post.
Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick, a sharemilker in Northern Southland, said he believed there was a link between a prevalence of animal rights activists in the region and the missing reels.
Drones featuring cameras — which he believed were being operated by activists searching for poor winter grazing practices — were being flown across farms in Southland.
The removal of a temporary fence from a winter crop could result in cattle deaths because it gave them open access to feed.
Cattle overindulging in certain winter crops could be "very dangerous" and cause a raft of animal welfare issues.
For example, if cows were offered too much fodder beet too quickly it could result in rumen acidosos, which could be deadly.
"All the activists care about is their own personal beliefs and they don’t know the ins and outs of farming," Mr Herrick said.
If the reels were stolen from a farmer strapped for cash in tough economic times, he urged them to contact the Rural Support Trust or Federated Farmers.
He doubted the reels were taken by a farmer because they would be aware of the animal health issues the removal could cause cattle.
A drone flown across a farm at night in Southland recently featured a spotlight, he said.
Farmers’ levels of "anxiety and anger were through the roof". He urged farmers to refrain from shooting down the drones to stay on the right side of the law.
"Don’t do something you’ll regret later on," he said.
Rather than confronting an activist, farmers should get evidence of a person acting suspiciously or illegally, such as flying a drone across private property, and give it to police, Mr Herrick said.
He was unaware if any activists in Southland were associated with any animal rights groups.
Safe chief executive Debra Ashton said she would be extremely surprised and disappointed if activists had taken the reels.
"It is not our approach."
She did not support the use of direct and illegal action against farmers.
Mr Herrick should obtain evidence before making an accusation, she said.
She was not aware of anyone flying drones across farms in Southland.
A police spokesman said there was no evidence the reels had been taken by activists.
Anyone with information which might assist police inquiries into the stolen reels can call 105, or make an online report at 105.police.govt.nz, using reference file number 240704/8171, he said.
