| 19 RURAL PEOPLE » Cashmore Farms Droughts force key management changes Hugh De Lacy Five years of struggling through consecutive droughts is forcing a fundamental change to core management practices on Rob Cashmore’s Cashmore Farms, of Auckland. Where previously all stock were nished for Wilson Hellaby Meat Processors on the local market, now Rob is having to switch to a store lamb market “and some sort of winter lamb- nishing programme,” he says. Cull cows and bulls went into manufacturing beef through Greenlea Meat Processors, and this practice will probably continue even as the lamb- nishing changes are made. The Cashmore Farms covers 1200ha across an altitude range of 200 to 600 metres above sea level, of which 840ha is farmable across soil types ranging from volcanic on the tops to alluvial silt loams on the river ats. There are 168ha of nishing country, 672ha of hard steep hills of orange clay with minimal topsoil, and 360ha of bush. The farm carries 2800 ewes and 3920 lambs, along with 800 hoggets, while cattle comprise 172 cows and 162 calves, along with 45 replacement heifers, 25 cull heifers, 30 R2 steers and 55 R2 bulls. As extended dry periods continue to force production changes, Rob views the wider environment as the major concern facing pastoral farming in New Zealand. “Our changing weather patterns – getting all the rain in one condensed time period, and then being dry for another extended time period – is forcing us all to change, and I don’t believe my stock are the problem behind it,” he says. “In our location our animal health bill does seem to be higher than most. “With our warmer climate we have more animal health issues, and our poorer soils require more fertiliser treatments.” While global warming is forcing Rob to modify his on-farm practices, off the farm he’s involved in the political battles assailing the pastoral sector as vice-chair of the Auckland Region Federated Farmers’ Meat and Wool Section. “Keeping track of new legislation is becoming a big worry with the Government passing new laws weekly, it seems, and expecting us to keep up to date at our own expense with little or no help and no extra income,” Rob says. He sees farmers as a small number of people with a disproportionately large amount of land and contribution to Gross Domestic Product, hampered by a disproportionately low level of democratic in uence. “That makes us very easy to target, enabling legislators to dodge tackling the harder problems that urban environments create.” The Cashmore family has been on their farm since the early 1900s when they bought four 1000acre (400ha) blocks from the Government for native timber milling. As the bush was cleared, they moved into sheep and cattle farming and have been committed to improving the land for ve generations. Accordingly, Rob’s less than happy about what he sees as snowballing government legislation forcing farmers to adopt new management practices at considerable cost, without any “repayment, compensation or rebate – call it what you will” – for the improvements they’ve been making voluntarily for over a century. “Keeping track of new legislation is becoming a big worry with the Government passing new laws weekly, it seems, and expecting us to keep up to date at our own expense with little or no help and no extra income.” BATLEY BELTEX Kaipara, Northland Breeders of Beltex sheep, a new breed to New Zealand Winning carcass competitions countrywide Yielding more meat to live weight The next step to profitable production. Annual on-farm ram auctions – November For the first time this year – pure-bred Beltex rams from embryo transplants Three-quarter Beltex and Suffolk/Beltex to be offered CR Roadley Ltd 09 4318 266 or 021 08155123 rex.roadley@farmside.co.nz facebook.com/batleybeltex 33 Coles Crescent PO Box 72-016, Papakura 2244 T 09 299 6596 E admin@robbix.co.nz • Business Advisors • Rural Specialists • Chartered Accountants Proud to be associated with Cashmore Farms Ltd Empowering freedom, clarity and purpose in business Email: office@kbs2018.co.nz Mobile: 0274 844 083 Phone: (09) 232 5804 0800 241 501 Email: office@wehale.co.nz Phone: (09) 232 5834 • Lime & Fertiliser Spreading • Orchard Spreading • Organic Spreading • Consignment Store - Bulk and Bags • North & South Lime • Spreadmark Certified • GAP Verified • Bark • Animal Bedding • Garden Media • Metal • Drainage Metal • Aggregate & Decorative Stone • Compost • Govt Certified Weigh Bridge • Stockfeed Cartage • 868 Coalfields Rd, Maramarua, RD1, Pokeno 2471 • Phone 09 232 5834 • HAURAKI PLAINS MOTORS LTD For all new and used farm machinery 1 Pipiroa Road, NGATEA Ph: 07 867 7021 E: admin@hpmotors.co.nz www.haurakiplainsmotors.co.nz Miles Shelley 027 227 1121 Michael Duffin 027 440 4681
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