A Westland farm at the centre of an animal welfare investigation is being destocked as the Ministry for Primary Industries continues its inquiry.
The ministry launched the investigation at the Rotomanu farm in the Lake Brunner area at the end of August after finding more than 900 cows and their calves in various stages of starvation.
Vets put down 150 emaciated cows and 30 calves and sent another 60 cows to the works.
A spokesperson for the ministry says no charges have been laid yet, but the remaining 700 cows on the property are being sold.
Westland Milk Products dairy co-operative stopped any collection of milk from the farm while the investigation was running.
Chief executive Rod Quin says the farm is no longer part of the co-operative and the property is up for sale.
He says a new owner might get the farm up and running again and apply to join the co-operative.
