8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Okuru Pastoral Federated Farmers Cattle are spread out over large areas over several river valleys in South Westland. Kim Newth Stepping up as a voice for farmers on the West Coast, Haast-based cattle farmer Simon Cameron is finding no shortage of issues and challenges for rural producers in the region. Simon, who grew up on a high country station in Marlborough, was voted in as West Coast Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chair last year and also chairs the High Country West Coast role. In today’s fast changing regulatory environment, he says it’s a busy time to be involved with Federated Farmers. “We’re making so many submissions across various issues right now. The three main ones we’re dealing with are the stewardship land review, stock exclusion, and emissions pricing.” Last year, the Department of Conservation opened up submissions on proposed reclassifications for 504 pieces of stewardship land on the West Coast. What happens to this land in future is a key issue for Federated Farmers’ members right now, particularly in Westland where there are large areas of stewardship land. The stock exclusion issue relates to the new freshwater regulations coming in from July 2025 that would see beef cattle excluded from lakes and rivers more than one-metre wide on low slope land. “Our perspective is that we can’t have a one size fits all approach. Land use, farming systems, the landscape and other environmental factors vary so much from province to province, it simply isn’t going to work. In some situations, there is room for improvement and practices need to be altered to achieve the desired outcome, but for us on the coast it is not broken. According to in depth testing by Otago University, our water is pristine so it doesn’t need fixing. We also fear any major changes to our farming systems could actually have detrimental effects on our environment and biodiversity.” Simon has had several meetings with various politicians on this matter, including Damien O’Connor, Maureen Pugh, Nicola Grigg, Jackie Dean, Barbara Kuriger and Stuart Smith. The third main issue is around emissions pricing, with Simon adamant that native bush areas on farms should be eligible for carbon credits. “Farmers have protected and looked after these areas through the generations and that should be recognised.” Simon and his partner Courtney run cattle on several river valley blocks in South Westland, in partnership with Courtney’s father and Simon also manages another block in Haast. As well, he is experienced in shooting from a helicopter for deer recovery work and currently does this part-time for a commercial deer recovery operation, enjoying the change of pace. Having had an outstanding summer and autumn, Simon and Courtney’s cattle are in great shape. “Collectively, Courtney and I manage 800 to 900 breeding cows between us. Our cattle are spread out over very large areas. Our only access is by horse, jet boat or helicopter and often requires a combination of all three over several days to complete our autumn muster.” He and Courtney do practically all the work themselves, supported by a few friends who know the ropes. As he observes, stock exclusion rules don’t make sense for their type of operation where annual average rainfalls are 6-8 metres. “I’d challenge anyone to come here and tell me where you’d put the fences up – it just wouldn’t work here.” Phone James 03 614 7080 or Donald 021 187 8186 963 Cleland Road, Pleasant Point 106 bulls sell 22 June 12.30pm Proudly Supporting the West Coast www.sternangus.co.nz Te Rae Genetics Rams are solid, high yielding, versatile sires suiting any property and ock, bred on rolling hill country in Central Southland. Coopworth • Coopworth Texel • Coopdale Texel Poll Dorset, & Suftex MATERNAL BREEDS TERMINAL BREEDS 027 444 7072 chris.terae@gmail.com www.teraegenetics.co.nz Te Rae Genetics • Tagged at birth for accurate parentage • Single Sire Mated • S.I.L. recorded • Myomax Tested • E.M.A. scanned • Hoggets mated & lambed with ease • Competitive, a ordable sires • Strong bulky eece—37 microns • i f • i l i • .I. . • • . . . • l i • Competitive, a ordable sires • Strong bulky eece—37 microns KEY TRAITS I
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