The Te Akau farm was originally part of Greenhammerton, bought in 1950 with a return servicemen’s grant by Jackson’s grandparents, Hughlings and Margaret.
It was taken over by Jackson’s father Peter who founded the stud in 1966, focusing on ground-breaking facial eczema genetics, then by Jackson and his brother Tom in 2003, before Jackson bought the entire operation in 2018 by which time it encompassed 1576ha.
About 1100ha of the old farm will be planted into production forestry after failed attempts to keep it in sheep and beef production.
“Having to sell to forestry was a decision we didn’t take lightly,” Jackson said.
“It was obviously a tough one because we’re extremely proud of what we had achieved at Te Akau but after unsuccessful attempts to sell it as a single holding or divide it up amongst the neighbours, we made the best decision for our young family, and for the future financial health and long-term sustainability of our business.”
In addition to the Duncan Rd property, they will also lease a further 380 hectares nearby owned by Bradstreet’s parents to be run in conjunction with Piquet Hill, enabling them to maintain their stud flock numbers at 2500 recorded ewes and 150 recorded cows.
Piquet Hill Farms will have a new site at this year’s National Fieldays to showcase its Sheddmaster rams which have been developed over the last six years.
The Sheddmaster composite combines Wiltshire, Meatmaster and imported shedding composite genetics, resulting in a low-maintenance, high-performing breed that’s highly tolerant to facial eczema.
The annual Angus yearling bull sale will be held in late August.
