Too Many Cows? An exploration of relationships between livestock density and river water quality in Aotearoa New Zealand

Intensive cattle farming is a major driver of freshwater pollution in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet research on the link between cattle intensity and river water quality is limited. This exploratory study investigated relationships between livestock intensity and freshwater indicators – nitrates and macroinvertebrates. We found that higher dairy stocking rates and total cattle numbers are linked to increased nitrate pollution at regional and district levels, with no significant correlations for beef cattle or MCI (macroinvertebrate community index) scores. Our findings underscore an urgent need for further research, particularly at the catchment level, to inform farm management plans and freshwater policy.