The Ministry of Agriculture says the effects of the summer drought are still evident and it's monitoring animal welfare on more farms than in other recent years.
MAF's Investigations Manager Greg Reid, says a combination of a long summer drought followed by very heavy rains in parts of the country, has meant that there's been less feed available, resulting in skinny animals.
The worst areas appear to be Canterbury, South Otago, South Taranaki, Manawatu and the East Cape and Hawkes Bay.
He says the number of complaints is nearly double the number normally received.
Mr Reid says animal welfare problems are also showing up on sheep, beef and dairy farms.
