‘‘The cows are in much better condition and their pregnancy rates much higher. I think not to put too fine a point on it, Crafars were farming pretty much at the edge.’’

At the time of the receivership output was about five million kilograms a year but the cows were in ‘‘not a hell of a flash order’’.

Output had dropped to 4.3m kg per year and Mr Kelly was confident his organisation could get it back over 5m.

‘‘The cows are in much better condition and their pregnancy rates much higher.

‘‘I think not to put too fine a point on it, Crafars were farming pretty much at the edge,’’ he said.