Corporate Te Hou Farm in Rangitikei the way of the future

Hew Dalrymple stands by one of the bores supplying water to the new Te Hou Farm. Photo/ Bevan Conley

A flat, fertile Rangitikei farm of 1250ha that is run by a board of six could be the way of the future, Hew Dalrymple says.

Te Hou Farm was bought three years ago in a three-way equal partnership between Hew and Roger Dalrymple, Rangitikei's Nga Wairiki/Ngati Apa tribe and Whanganui's Atihau Whanganui Incorporation.

Each is pouring millions into developing the flat coastal land to become an irrigated hub for intensive food production. The first development phase is due to finish in mid 2018.

The farm is run by a board of six people, with two from each of the partners.

It includes a 950-cow dairy unit on the best soil. The rest, which is sandier, is being turned into 50ha paddocks, watered by 10 pivot irrigators.

The water is coming from three new bores sunk on the coastal strip, each about 50m deep. Between them they can dish out as much water at any time as the town of Whanganui is using.

The potential for the warm, free-draining, irrigated coastal soils is huge, Mr Dalrymple says.

The farm now grazes dairy cows, lambs and beef cattle as well as growing maize, oats, lucerne, barley and vegetables such as onions, peas and pumpkins.

But that's only the beginning, Mr Dalrymple says. The world will be needing bulk commodities for the next 50 years, and the Ohakea Air Force Base 7km could accommodate planes carrying high-value freight around the world.

"Probably your best area to be in is berries. They're a very good option for New Zealand, and certain fruits."

He can also see potential for growing more meats, with chicken and pork possible as well as red meat.

"China took its first plane-load of chilled meat on Saturday."