Page 73 - Hereford Magazine 2021

rate at that time by another 50 or 60 cows. We can calve those
cows coming into summer because we have such a summer-
safe environment. The day we scan, we know what empty cows
we have from our spring herd and then we put the Hereford
bulls back in and have another round of mating to pick up
those empty cows. At the end of the season, we might only
turn out a 2% empty rate.”
Those cows are milked through to March then sold to
autumn-calving farms wanting to top up with in-milk cows.
“We daren’t winter milk on our property because it’s so
heavy. We can’t even dig a strainer post in wintertime because
the water (table) is at four feet. That’s our limitation. Our
annual rainfall is 1250mm.”
Rob is the fourth generation Bassett on the property, which Campbell (left) and Lachie with some of the beef-cross calves
earned Century Farm status in 2009. He’s been back for 26 being reared on Manukorihi.
years, having worked on dairy farms overseas, where he learnt
about growing grain and in-shed feeding systems.
“We’re still focused on our pasture production but also
adding in a condensed energy source, i.e. the homegrown
barley; that has really helped our production and not cost the
earth. Grazing out the heifers helps too, as it removes the need
for another labour unit, as well as their feed.”
Rob’s wife, Nicola, is an accountant in Carterton, and they
have two boys, Campbell, 12, and Lachie, 10.
“They’re showing a huge interest in the farm and Dad (Don)
still lives on the farm with us. He’s out with us every day. The kids
have great interactions with Grandad on the farm and it’s neat to
watch. Campbell is interested in livestock and the genetics side
of things, while Lachie is more the machinery man. We do quite
a bit of cropping, so we have a nice balance there.” Mike Cranstone talks to Rob after the 2020 sale.

HEREFORD STUD

- 116 YEARS OF BREEDING -

2 YEAR HEIFERS CALVE ON HILL COUNTRY RIVERTON MIKE 19 18 – GL -8.0, BWT +1.2,
TOP 1% ALL INDICES SEMEN AVAILABLE

th
• Calving ease and short gestation. 30 Annual Yearling Sale
• All cattle EMA & IMF scanned. rd
• Cattle must compete with 8,000 ewes Thursday 23 September 2021
on hard hill country. 130 yearling bulls specifi cally
• Top service and bull backup provided. bred for calving ease.

Mike & Cath Cranstone  814 Kauangaroa Road, RD7, Fordell, Wanganui 4577
Ph: 06 342 7721  Email: crannyandcath@outlook.com  www.ezicalve.co.nz

Year 2021 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 71