When they purchased the South Otago rural property in 2012, Michael and Caroline Morris could see what potential Dunvegan offered for breeding and finishing sheep and beef.
“We’d been looking at the farm for two years. It had that appeal, and we were confident we could make it work. However, although we liked it and it had been on the market for some time, it was beyond our means. Then our existing farm sold for conversion to dairying, and we were ready to go,” says Michael, whose family had been on the couple’s previous Kaiwera farm for just six months shy of 100 years.
Fifteen kilometres south-west of Clinton, 46 kilometres west of Balclutha, and 44 kilometres south-east of Gore, Dunvegan had been in the Pearce family for several decades. As soon as Michael and Caroline took it over they set to on a development programme.
“Renovating the pasture and improving the fertility was our priority. In the first 18 months we applied a significant quantity of super and lime. Alongside that we upgraded the fencing, lane ways, and drainage, as well as renovating the stockyards.”
In 2016 a 660-hectare neighbouring block became available, which they also acquired. Previously in Otago Regional Council ownership and farmed under lease, alongside several other properties in the Kuriwao district, Dunvegan, now 1507 hectares, was subject to tenure review. Michael and Caroline gained freehold ownership in 2020.
“Even though freeholding wasn’t the easiest, we were pleased to come out of the other end of that process and appreciate having greater control of the farm’s destiny.”
Alongside their ongoing improvements, that freedom has helped raise productivity.
“Last year our lambs averaged 20 kilograms; instead of selling calves at weaning, we now retain and finish them to feedlot weights for Five Star feedlot in Ashburton; and our feed is now plentiful enough to lamb hoggets, which we did successfully for the first time last year, tailing over 1000 lambs out of the hoggets, which has pushed up our lamb production,” says Michael.
Environmental enhancements are another payoff from their development initiatives.
“We have a 118-hectare native bush block, including a local landmark known as Cairn Rock, plus 150 hectares in wetland, which forms the headwaters of the Waipahi River. Our largest wetland block is fenced, regenerating manuka and tussock. We are progressively fencing all waterways and built a stock water system to supply the whole farm, which encourages the sheep and cattle to walk across the paddock to a trough, rather than drinking out of the creek, meaning our waterways are better looked after and the stock healthier. Parts of the farm have plenty of native tussock, which is great value, marvellous for shelter for stock after lambing or pre-lamb shearing,” says Michael.
With three adult children now each pursuing their own agricultural careers, Michael and Caroline have decided to sell Dunvegan, which has been farmed by their son James and daughter-in-law Taylor since 2020.
“Although the farm has been wonderful for us, and we would love to stay on it, family succession makes selling the best option.”
They have engaged Brent Irving and Derek Ayson of PGG Wrightson Real Estate to offer Dunvegan to the market. Brent describes the farm as a unique opportunity.
“Currently all grass with cultivatable paddocks, predominately all younger pastures, Dunvegan carries 5400 crossbred mixed age ewes including two tooths, 1600 hoggets, 240 Angus cows, 60 heifers and 100 steers wintered taken through to feedlot weights.
“It is an exceptional property, with excellent scale, offering a wealth of options to a new owner, including running livestock and forestry, with carbon income streams possible, along with a conservation component from the native bush and wetland opening up additional prospects.
“This is the first time Dunvegan has been available for sale as 1500 hectares entirely as a freehold property” says Brent.
A modern five-bedroom home on an elevated site, the Dunvegan homestead is surrounded by a mature garden, and includes a self-contained upstairs flat, four bathrooms and a diesel radiator system. A three-bedroom second house and a four-bedroom A frame cottage, plus a seven-stand flat board woolshed and several other implement and hay sheds comprise the property’s major improvements.
Michael and Caroline don’t yet have firm retirement plans, though are likely to continue some farming involvement, preferably supporting their children and grandchildren.
Related posts
Back to News & Publications
