East Waikato dairy farm jewel for sale
An opportunity to participate in the wealth generated by Tatua Dairy Cooperative, one of the dairy industry’s greatest success stories, has arisen in the eastern Waikato.
The 136ha property on 21 Maungakawa Rd, 13km from Morrinsville, has come on to the market for the first time in 50 years, and is only
7km from the Tatua headquarters. Located within the ‘golden zone’ of Waikato’s prime dairy district, the family run operation represents the pinnacle of high quality pastoral dairying that has made Tatua, and New Zealand, envied around the world.
Owned by the Houghton family for
50 years, the property has consistently generated above average milk solid returns for the district, placing it as the jewel in a zone often coveted for its climatic conditions and central location.
Owner Neil Houghton, who died two-and-a-half years ago, was well known for his extensive collection of vintage engines and tractors, which were sold at auction earlier this year. Many were rare John Deere machines.
Bayleys rural agent Mike FraserJones says the care and commitment Neil invested in the property is clearly evident, with its high standard of raceways, ruler-straight post and batten fencing, and aesthetically appealing tree plantings throughout.
Drainage is almost entirely underground through “Novaflo” and tile draining systems, meaning only a single small drain features across the entire property.
The property is in a district that features some of the country’s largest agri-processors, including Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Wallace Corporation and Inghams’ chickens.
There are primary, intermediate, and high schools all within a short bus ride. Morrinsville College is 13km away. The property is 22km from Matamata and 34km from Hamilton.
The farm is milking 500 Jersey cows through two 20-aside herringbone sheds, one of them run by Neil until his death. The cows and all machinery are also available.
The two properties are joined with a central straight race. Production across the two dairy units averaged
208,000kg of milk solids over the past five years, with a peak of 215,000kg.
The property is being offered as one operational unit, or two separate units of 78ha and 57ha, which may provide some expansion opportunities for nearby farmers, or potential grazing options.
Bayleys rural agent Mike FraserJones says the properties are both effectively 57ha, with the larger one featuring an extensive block of native bush. The property is being marketed for sale by tender, closing December
12.
“This is a property that exudes care and attention, and offers an opportunity to participate in the ability of Tatua co-operative to consistently deliver its farmer shareholders returns well above the industry average, also making it a more appealing, bank-able option for finance,” he says.
The two 20-aside dairy units also incorporate a 300-cow concrete feed pad each, supported with a 250-tonne concrete feed bunker alongside.