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08/10/2024
Cameron & Leah Smith
Northam farmers Cameron and Leah Smith are making hay while the sun shines, quite literally – working hard to build a diversified business that can one day provide their daughters with the opportunity to farm.
“We feel strongly about the fact our three daughters should each have an equal opportunity to be part of the business, and that’s really what drives Cameron,” Leah explains. “As well as the fact that he loves what he does, I don’t think he even considers it work at all.”
While the sheer volume of physical labour requirements of a hay operation – 3am starts and long days cutting, curing, drying and rolling bales – is not for the faint-hearted, Cameron and Leah are toilers.
They also have business nous, having recently expanded into the Toodyay area to leverage the region’s unique rainfall.
“Haymaking is always a gamble as it’s so weather dependent and timing is key, just knowing when to cut and when to bail, but we’ve found it gives us the best return, and cash flow that helps underpin further investment into the business so we can begin to work smarter, not harder.”
With their operation also including sheep, grains and oilseeds, the Smiths are proactive when it comes to embracing opportunity to diversify and strengthen their business.
And while Cameron could “work all day, every day”, Leah – who grew up in a coastal community – has her work cut out ensuring the family enjoys a balance of farming and lifestyle.
“I am big on holidays and spending time together as a family, and it can be hard to find that balance in a farming operation, but Cameron is slowly coming around,” she laughs. “We do keep a bigger vision in mind though, and know that the work we put in today is contributing to a business that can hopefully one day support us, and each of our three girls if they choose.”
A vision shared by Rabobank
Cameron and Leah’s is a vision shared by their Rabobank Rural Manager, Dan Cransberg, out of the Perth/Merredin branch.
Appreciative of the fact Dan is genuinely engaged in their business, Leah said his easy persona and agricultural knowledge was a breath of fresh air.
The Smith family with their Rabobank manager, Dan Cransberg
“We’ve been with other banks and our relationship with Dan is unique, and we really enjoy his company and running him through our ideas and plans – we’re all totally on the same page.”
“The fact he calls to check out our crops on his way to football on a weekend also speaks volumes,” Leah laughs.
At last year’s Dowerin Field Days Leah met another four Rabobank staff, all of whom she would have no hesitation contacting.
“It really is a family-like culture, which I’ve never experienced from a bank before – we’ve even had a phone call organised for us with the national RaboResearch grains analyst Vitor Cacula Pistoia, who gave us first-hand market insights, which further demonstrates Rabobank’s commitment to clients.”
“We’re looking forward to working together with Dan, and Rabobank, and see what other opportunities we may be able to seize, and having such an honest and transparent relationship is half the battle won.”