Mid Northern Rodeo president Noel Upton with some of the horses used at the annual rodeo.
Mid Northern Rodeo president Noel Upton with some of the horses used at the annual rodeo.
A report has highlighted serious concerns with some practices employed in the rodeo scene but has been welcomed by the sport's governing body.
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee this week released a report aimed at recommending animal welfare improvements in rodeos to Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri.
It cited "serious concerns'' with steer-wrestling and rope and tie events.
However, committee chairwoman Dr Gwyneth Verkerk said "positive changes'' were expected to be introduced this rodeo season as a result of the discussions held while developing the report.
Mid Northern rodeo president Noel Upton was yet to read the report but said his committee was always looking at ways to make the sport better and safer for both the animals and people.
"We are striving to make it better all the time,' he said.
Mid Northern Rodeo president Noel Upton feeds some of the saddle broncs ridden in the rodeo.
At the rodeo's annual two-day event, held at Maungatapere, the animals were vet checked before and after each day, and there were animal welfare officers on site, a vet and an MPI officer were also present for both days.
Trans-Tasman Challenger Finn Christensen from Australia, dismounts during the steer ride.
The report said in the rope and tie event, calves would potentially experience ''significant negative mental states'' from the event, ''particularly given their young age and inexperience overall''.
It requested further study on its effects on the animals and recommended modifications to the event or its replacement with one which had less impact on calf welfare.
The panel wanted additional information about ''anecdotal evidence'' animals used in steer-wrestling were purposefully kept at low body condition.
It recommend the establishment of a new rodeo animal welfare committee with representatives from inside and outside the rodeo community collaborating to improve animal health.
NZ Captain Tegan O'Callaghan from Kaitaia College, during the barrel racing competition
Animal welfare group Safe has led the charge against the sport and described the recommendations put forward in the report as "toothless tweaks".
"Rodeo is barbaric, and if this Government is as compassionate as it claims to be, it needs to put its money where its mouth is and ban rodeo."
Last month, the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association said it would implement changes to rodeos to improve animal welfare.
They included improving the ''training and competence'' of contestants in both events.
Association president Lyal Cocks, of Wanaka, said it welcomed and supported the report.
Protestors outside the gates of Mid Northern Rodeo.
Many of the recommendations were addressed in the changes announced for the season and the association would continue to review and improve the sport.
