Large station for grabs

A large North Canterbury high country property in freehold ownership has attracted plenty of attention from interested buyers since it was offered for sale earlier this month.

Mt Whitnow Station in the Sumner lakes conservation district is on 4381 hectares of flats and a mix of medium and steeper country and produces fine merino and half-bred wool, lamb, and angus beef.

The station had been owned by Donald and Carolyn Williamson of Coniston, Ashburton, for six years, in partnership with James and Sue Calder.

PGG Wrightson real estate agent Peter Crean said the farm had many options.

‘‘Having focused on sheep and beef, its current commercial farming operation has developed production of 18-micron merino wool destined for outdoor clothing companies through Merino New Zealand. Reliable and lucrative contracts have been agreed in recent years, providing fine wool to ZQ and Icebreaker from a flock of 2100 merino ewes.

‘‘Wool from halfbred ewes averaging 25 microns and hogget wool around 22.5 microns has been contracted to Smart Wool. Te Mania Angus cattle also featured among Mt Whitnow Station’s farming options,’’ Crean said.

Mt Whitnow Station is 35 kilometres inland from Hawarden and 120km north of Christchurch. It ranges from about 550 metres above sea level at the homestead to 1390 metres at Mt Whitnow. About 90ha of flat country at the front of the property merges into a mix of medium and steeper contours, with good access through farm tracks..

Mt Whitnow Station is for sale by private deadline treaty.