Business Rural Summer 2021

4 | RURAL PEOPLE » New Zealand Cashmere: David & Robyn Shaw High value fibre opportunities in cashmere C ashmere holds an unrivalled position in international textiles and fashion. Five years of research and more than 35 years of breeding has laid the foundation for cashmere to play a sig- nificant role in New Zealand’s pastoral sector. New Zealand Cashmere’s goal is to produce the most exquisite sustainable cashmere in the world. Luxury cashmere buyers are seeking New Zealand’s unique provenance, with its unique farm systems and environmental credentials. The market is large and mature for this super premium fibre. The value of cashmere is very different from wool, with top grades up to $150/kg to the farmers. New Zealand Cashmere has been established to drive growth and combines Wellington based yarn engineers Woolyarns and Otago cashmere breeders David and Robyn Shaw. The game changer for New Zealand grown cashmere is local processing capability by Woolyarns and genetics vastly ad- vanced from now decades of selection and farming experience. “We know pastoral New Zealand farmers are looking for ways to be more productive and competitive. Goats are simply integrated into exist- ing sheep and beef systems. Goats will eat and convert pasture components other stock won’t. They eat from the top down leaving pastures clover dominant. Cattle and lambs grow faster on goat prepared pastures.” Cashmere goats tick all the boxes. Environmental sustainability and lighter footprint, natural fibres, less chemicals, more efficient production of existing livestock, fitting regenerative philosophies, avoiding waterways, a counter to pine trees, improved hill country productivity, lower to nil weeds which are converted to high value premium products. “We see immediate potential for 50,000 farmed cashmere goats with farms running a couple of hundred does plus young goats to tidy up thistles, briar, blackberry, gorse, broom, wilding pines. Cashmere now offers the potential to be one of the most profitable farm enterprises and can be added initially without affecting existing stock units. Goats can lower direct farm costs requiring less labour, and are simply controlled with a change in mindset as we have seen with the development of deer and bull farming.” Today the Shaws farm approximately 1700 goats which make up about 20% of their SU’s. Kid first- shear fibre is 11-15 microns (av 14um) and does 14-18 (av 16um). Today the best does can produce over 500g and top bucks over 800g. To place this in context, the Chinese top grade 1436 (14 micron, longer than 36 mm) represents the top 1% of their production. Situated in the Waiwera Gorge in the Catlin ranges of southern Otago, the Shaw’s goats are selected in a summer wet, winter cold environment. Being adaptable they shift to most environments and every district. New Zealand already has substantial goat populations that can provide foundation does for upgrading. First cross animals can produce $150/kg cashmere and, with very high cashmere heritability, make rapid production gains. New flocks are being successfully established throughout New Zealand from Northland to South- land. The new appointment of a full time Cashmere Development Manager will support and drive new growth. “We know pastoral New Zealand farmers are looking for ways to be more productive and competitive. Goats are simply integrated into existing sheep and beef systems. Goats will eat and convert pasture components other stock won’t. They eat from the top down leaving pastures clover dominant. Cattle and lambs grow faster on goat prepared pastures.” Here for your farm, your pets, your family. We are your Vet Club. We are your Vets. www.cluthavets.co.nz 24hr Em ergency: 03 418 1280 Animal Health Centre CLUTHA V E T S CLUTHA V E T S Luxury cashmere buyers are seeking New Zealand fibre with its unique farm systems and environmental credentials. Tavendale and Partners is a South Island law firm with an unrivalled understanding of New Zealand's most important primary industries. Our focus is on your success and the success of New Zealand's agricultural industry. We are proud to support David and Robyn Shaw of New Zealand Cashmere. +64 3 374 9999 | you+us@tp.co.nz | www.tp.co.nz