Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Auckland Region

Shane & Jenny Hood, Gill & Kevin Adshead
Mataia Farm & Manaia Properties – Agriculture

Jenny and Shane lease 430ha of Mataia Farm off Jenny’s family, with income generated through agriculture, tourism and hospitality.

Another 500ha of native bush is part of an ongoing conservation and restoration project that Jenny’s parents Kevin and Gill are spearheading, resulting in the return of kiwi and the creation of Forest Bridge Trust.

Shane and Jenny finish 2,000 winter lambs annually, and run a mix of finishing and trading beef. They have a hospitality and tourism business and offer self-guided walks across the property.

Fencing has been installed to improve grazing practices, and stock water and handling facilities have been upgraded. Stock and soils are matched with a strategic approach to pasture management.

Since 2005, over 400ha of the wider property has been retired with 7,500 native trees planted every year, and intensive farm-wide pest and predator control is supported.

Rob & Rachel Cashmore
Cashmore Farms – Sheep and Beef Breeding and Finishing

As the fifth generation to farm this land, the Cashmores are focused on respecting the environment as they manage this profitable family property that they are gradually taking ownership of through a succession plan.

They run 6,000 stock units, finishing three quarters of lambs and cattle with around half of their income is derived from lamb and a quarter from cattle. Managing the farm since 2014, Rob and Rachel are reaping the rewards of an infrastructure and environment that have been cared for over time.

The land features about 400ha of virgin native bush in three stands, which the Cashmores and their predecessors have worked hard to protect.

Every paddock features parcels of naturally regenerating native plants, providing shelter and shade for the animals. Water, soil, nutrients and greenhouse gas emissions are all closely monitored and managed, with a focus to reuse, recycle and repurpose where possible.

Ed Long and Fabian Bunting
Auckland Council – Atiu Creek Regional Park – Sheep and Beef

Atiu Creek Regional Park is one of a suite of Auckland Council regional parks, tasked with running sustainable, profitable farms while enhancing the natural environment.

The diverse business includes a blend of sheep and beef breeding, wool and accommodation. Good lambing and calving percentages are testament to the good health of stock which are well fed and have plenty of water, shade and shelter.

The team ensures the stocking rate is tailored to match environmental conditions and runs 1,250 breeding ewes, weaning 1,600 lambs annually, while 85 cows produce about 80 calves each year which are also weaned.

A range of sustainable farming practices have been implemented including the precision application of fertiliser application, along with careful monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions, and the quality of water and soil. Fencing across the farm protects bush, wetlands and riparian boundaries and pest control remain a focus.

Shirley-Ann and Rick Mannering
Waytemore Farms – Sheep, Beef and Dairy

This sheep, beef and dairy farm consists of three family farm holdings that are managed as one entity by the Mannerings. 1,177ha supports one dairy farm and the sheep and beef farm, while a nearby block of 277ha supports another dairy farm.

They run a breeding flock of 2,100 Romney ewes, along with 720 beef cattle, and 860 dairy cows with 360 replacements, in a mostly closed model where the dairy and beef operations support each other.

Waytemore Farms features a substantial amount of native forest, including areas protected by QEII National Trust covenants. Significant effort has been put into conservation work, including fencing off well-established indigenous forests, waterways and wetlands, and sustained predator control. They’ve employed a farm manager trained in ecology, and a dedicated farm ranger trained in conservation biology to continue their focus on sustainable farming.