A 223-hectare farm on some of Mid Canterbury’ most fertile soils is set for auction this October, which should give farmers a clear indication of where the ascending dairy property market sits.
Faithfully farmed by the Brown family for almost three decades, the property has been steadily transformed from a sheep and cropping block into a modern, high-performing dairy unit.
Marketed by Dan van der Salm, Rural and Lifestyle consultant in Ashburton, the sale of the property, the first auction of a local dairy farm for several years, will be widely watched.
“Dairying is on an upward swing. There is no shortage of buyers, though most farmers will prioritise continuing to trade through the present profitable market over selling the farm, in which case listings are scarce, particularly of properties as well appointed as this one,” says Dan.
As well as the buyers in the room on auction day, farmers, rural bankers and particularly bankers will all be watching closely.
“It will measure where the market sits this spring,” says Dan, who reckons the vendor’s decision to go to auction is brave, though one he is confident will be well rewarded.
Vendor Ivan Brown knows every corner of the property. He began leasing it in 1998, purchased it with his brother Neil in 2001, and later converted it to a 210-hectare milking platform in 2011. Along the way, the brothers invested in irrigation, fencing, and technology to maximise the farm’s performance.
“I’ve been a hands-off dairy farmer. We’ve had good contract milkers and managers, who are happy to stay with the farm if that is the new owners’ wish,” Ivan says.
It’s a winning formula: milking around 800 cows it consistently produces more than 430,000 kilograms of milk solids.
While Ivan stepped back from day-to-day operations, he never lost sight of the farm’s potential. Early work focused on irrigation and layout. When they came to the dairy conversion, modern design was the focus, delivering efficiency, compliance, and animal welfare. More recently, they’ve strengthened herd genetics, sufficient to persuade Samen Genetics to enquire about buying bull calves back from the farm.
Averaging 550 kilograms of milk solids per cow, the largely Friesian herd is wintered off-farm. Irrigation is sourced from a 70-metre well and delivered mainly via four centre pivots.
Ivan’s children grew up on the farm and for a family the property’s lifestyle offering holds great appeal. A two-storey, five-bedroom villa with a swimming pool is complemented by three additional staff homes.
Environmental compliance is another highlight. With a 2024 ‘A’ Audit and long-term consents in place, including effluent discharge for 900 cows to 2046, a groundwater take for irrigation to 2037, and land use farming consent also to 2037, the farm’s new owner can walk in and start farming with confidence.
“This is a magnificent coastal property, faithfully farmed by its current owner: a rare opportunity to secure a high-performing, turnkey dairy unit.”
Under the hammer of PGG Wrightson Real Estate specialist auctioneer Sloane Morpeth, the property goes to auction at 1pm on 15 October at Hotel Ashburton. The herd is also available at valuation.
Farms of this scale and calibre are seldom available, and the outcome of this auction is certain to be closely watched. For those in the market, it could be the start of a new dairying chapter in one of the country’s most productive farming districts.
Related posts
Back to News & Publications
