End of an era for Waimarino dairy farming

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 44, 21 April 1987, Page 1

End of an era for Waimarino dairy

farming

Last Wednesday saw the end of an era for dairy farming in the Waimarino with the sale of two complete herds of dairy cattle. Bob and Eileen Hamond of Ruapehu Farm and Owen and Betty Hammond and their son John of Ruaview Farm were forced to sell their herds as there are to be no more milk collections from the farms. The milk had been going to Palmerston North since the closure of the Raetihi treatment station. The sale conducted by Elders Pastoral was for 159 head of Holstein-Fresians from Ruaview Farm, and 72 head from Ruapehu Farm. Eileen Hammond said the sale marked the saddest day of their lives. The herds were considered to be among the top registered Holstein herds in the country and this was

reflected in the interest shown in the sale, said Elders representative Jeremy Trebilcock. There were about 300 people at the sale including 195 registered buyers from Northland, Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Taranaki. "It's sad to see a herd of the quality of Ruaview and Ruapehu Farms sold after the years and years of work that has gone into making this herd one of the best in the country" said Mr Trebilcock. He said the presentation of the stock at the sale was fantastic and the facilities set up especially for the sale were very good and the hospitality shown to the buyers by the Hammonds was phenomenal. Mr Trebilcock said the prices paid at the auction were some compensation for the hard work that has gone into the farms.

The average price for the Ruaview animals was $1400 with the top price of $4800 paid for the cow 'Ruaview Star Treasure'. The top price for an animal from Ruapehu Farm was $6800 paid for 'Ruapehu Star Gloria.' Shipping of the HosteinFriesians began on Thursday following the sale. Owen and Betty Hammond plan to run bull beef in on their farm in future, while Bob and Eileen will also stay in the area but their plans are not yet finalised.