March 2024

Momentum has started to swing on the New Zealand Cashmere movement in the South. Most are being driven by the opportunity to spend less time, money, and resource on weed control while also diversifying income with fibre returns. The potential pasture improvement and meat returns are welcome bonuses for new farmers looking to join our Foundation Flock. 

Southern Field Days was busy, I was joined on our stand by David Shaw from Hepara Genetics who was a welcome addition as we were rushed off our feet with enquiries over the three days. From this event alone I have 22 farmers keen for an on-farm visit to further explore the opportunity, which is keeping me busy enough! I’m curious to see if the interest is paralleled in Fielding with the Central Districts Field Days which I will attend later in the week. 

Aside from shearing, this is our busiest time of year at New Zealand Cashmere with animals moving between existing and new growers as young stock are weaned and preparations are underway for mating. At this stage, we are relatively involved in connecting buyers and sellers – it’s important we can match the right animals with the needs for specific properties and breeding objectives. 

I’m very proud to share we have welcomed more than 20 new growers to our Foundation Flock over the past year, with more growers coming on each week. As no two farms and farming systems are the same there are a variety of cashmere farming models being implemented nationwide and I look forward to getting our diverse grower network together in July for the 2024 New Zealand Cashmere Conference to share our successes, challenges, and other experiences. While we are still ironing out the detail, do keep this in mind as a “must attend” event. It’s shaping up to be a hands-on, educational opportunity to ensure best returns possible for our growers, as well as a good opportunity to connect with the right industry professionals and other growers. 

March is a busy month, visiting prospective cashmere growers, inspecting property and infrastructure suitability, and identifying where cashmere goats can add to their farming system. Then to organise animals mating for a spring 2024 kidding! 

Anyone wanting a catch up, can contact me via call, text or email any time. 

Cheers,

Liv