Potential in Mangatangi

CEDRIC GRAY checks out a large dairy farm offering a wealth of opportunities.

The sale of a 258ha dairy farm at Mangatangi is attracting interest in the industry, because of its year-round productivity, location and investment potential.

The land is in three freehold titles, and a further 31ha in nearby Pokeno holds a supplementary cropping lease.

The property is owned by the Axtens family partnership, who bought 143ha of the fertile plateau in 1989. The partnership later bought two neighbouring properties of similar fertility - volcanic loam over clay, in the main, with a flat-to-easy contour.

Production from the 710 cows last year reached 257,235kg milk solids carrying more than $1.2 million Fonterra shares. The partnership also holds a winter milk contract with Fonterra of 5500lt daily from the winter milking herd of 345 cows.

An extensive calf-rearing programme produces between 80 and 130 calves to 100kg for sale. The calves are raised in purpose-built facilities used by a former owner who ran Cashmere goats on the property.

The extensive outbuildings include a 36-a-side dairy shed, implement shed, three concrete feed pads for 600 cows, a 700-tonne capacity dry feed bunker and six hay barns.

Geoff Axtens, a member of the partnership, describes the property as "strong, very healthy dairy country". A regular fertiliser programme has enhanced a winter characteristic - its capacity to grow good winter pasture.

The 70 well-fenced paddocks are served by a central race and a loop race for easy stock movement, and a 30m bore provides ample year-round water. Four small ponds have been beautified and offer duck shooting opportunities, and there is good stock shelter in the main provided by mature poplars.

The brick and tile main homestead was built in the 1950s. It has four bedrooms, a separate farmhouse kitchen and a large family lounge. The home is surrounded by mature gardens - including 180 roses - and it has three-car garaging.

Two other homes, each with four bedrooms, provide comfortable staff accommodation.

The property is in the heart of the increasingly popular Miranda-Kaiaua region, with the Miranda hot springs, trout fishing on the Mangatangi dam and boating on the Thames estuary virtually on the doorstep. The Mangatangi primary school is only 600m away.

The property is for sale by tender, with the tender closing on November 28. For details contact Don Thompson, Don Thompson Real Estate, Hamilton, ph 07 854 5553 or 021 960 415.