Property for sale at a prime time

A large deer farm being sold near Kaikoura has landed on the market when venison prices are at their peak.

Mainly deer are run on the 1290 hectare farm called Stone Jug and the property supports about 11,500 stock units, including 100 breeding cows, making it one of the largest deer farms in Canterbury.

The sale by deadline treaty ending April 19 coincides with venison prices remaining at record levels of $10-plus a kilogram.

Selling a property at a high is a well-worn sales formula, but this does not seem to be the main motivation for the family which has been on the farm the past 18

The sale has been planned for a long time and it's timed nicely with renewed confidence in the deer industry. Colliers International rural and agribusiness national director Shane O'brien.

years and converted it to deer farming.

‘‘The vendors were looking to reduce their workload and the sale has been planned for a long time and it’s timed nicely with renewed confidence in the deer industry.’’ said Colliers International rural and agribusiness national director Shane O’brien.

O’brien said the Stone Jug would be one of the larger deer farms, but not the largest in Canterbury. A new homestead being built is expected to be completed by the time its ownership papers change hands.

The homestead replaces the former house damaged by earthquake and the property also supports a three-bedroom cottage, workers accommodation and farm buildings.

All deer and cattle are finished on the property, inland from Kaikoura, which ranges from developed flats including 200ha with spray irrigation to easy downs and steeper hill country.

The farm has 59 main deer paddocks, two medium hill blocks, three native hill blocks and five river terrace blocks.

The developed 550ha and two fenced hill blocks are mainly used for carrying the deer, while the beef herd is on the back hill country.

The first deer licence for deer farming was issued in 1970 and Deer Industry New Zealand estimates today 2000 farmers farm about one million deer.

New Zealand exports deer hides, leather and velvet as well as venison with Germany the largest export market, followed by the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands.

O’brien said the farm’s location had the benefit of hunting, fishing and agri-tourism opportunities on the Alpine Pacific Triangle.