Property Description

his dairy opportunity is truly one of a kind. An extensive, irrigated dairy farm with genuine room to grow, it has only just come to the market after being held within the same family for more than two generations, and was converted to dairy 15 years ago. Situated on the Hakataramea Highway 82, just 30 minutes from Waimate in the South Canterbury region, the property showcases development work completed to a very high standard. The vendors are now looking to downsize, creating a rare chance for new ownership.
The full operation covers approximately 1,750 hectares, with 950 hectares available to purchase, subject to final survey. This is a substantial, all in one enterprise. Around 760 hectares are irrigated, with the balance in dryland, including areas in forestry and carbon farming. Irrigation is sourced from the renowned Waitaki River, with a combination of MGI Irrigation shares and large proportion of the irrigation via the vendors own consented take from the river, providing low cost, highly reliable water. Four pivots irrigate more than 200 hectares of flats, with the remaining irrigated land serviced by K Line across rolling country. There is still scope to further develop the pivoted areas, and set grid irrigation remains a future option. The sheltered southerly aspect of the Opuha Hill soils helps protect the farm from excessive evapotranspiration, and the property is exceptionally well watered for both irrigation and stock.
With a stocking rate of under 3.5 cows per hectare and wintering approximately 1,580 cows, the farm comfortably produces around 650,000 kgMS. This season, milking is occurring across less than 500 hectares of irrigated pasture, leaving significant room to pursue further options within the boundary. The farm holds consent to milk 2,000 cows, although the current owners prefer to operate at their present level, allowing them to rear a high number of calves and finish several hundred bulls and beef cattle each year. The herd has averaged more than 400 kgMS per cow over the past four years, with some mobs run on once a day or 16 hour milking. The vendors are open to including stock and plant with the sale, ensuring a seamless transition for the purchaser, and the current management team—highly skilled in running an operation of this scale—are available for discussion.
The entire farm is equipped with Halter technology, making ease of management a standout feature. A high quality network of lanes, stretching more than 12 kilometres, ensures smooth and efficient stock movement, which has been a key focus of the farm’s management. The main homestead sits privately near the Haktaramea Highway, positioned to capture sweeping views of the Waitaki River and expansive vistas to the east and north. It is complemented by excellent office and shed infrastructure, and five additional staff accommodation units provide ample housing for a large team.
Centrally located on the property is a 54 bail rotary dairy shed with in shed feeding and ACRs, positioned alongside a dedicated 350–400 cow feed pad. A gravity fed milk line connects to a nearby 13 bay calf shed, streamlining calf feeding. Additional calf sheds, machinery storage buildings, silage pits, and even a gravel quarry support the ability to manage large numbers of stock. Two sets of cattle yards are strategically placed, and an underpass allows safe stock movement off the river flats. The layout has been designed with future growth in mind, and the potential to install a second dairy shed would ease milking pressure and fully capture the 2,000 cow consent.
The land offers an excellent balance of free draining flats under pivot and rolling Opuha Hill soils above the highway, with strong, fertile pastures throughout. The vendor will retain 735 hectares (subject to survey) of adjoining dryland for dairy and beef grazing, though there may be opportunities for feed supply arrangements with the purchasers. Future growth options include expanding the milking platform with a second shed, further enhancing the scale and efficiency of the operation.
Opportunities of this size and calibre, especially in such a well located area, are exceptionally rare. The property sits just 30 minutes from the thriving town of Waimate, close to Oamaru for schooling options, and within easy reach of two major dairy processors. Private, consented Waitaki River water at the roadside is a significant advantage. The current supply is to Oceania Dairy in Glenavy, approximately 20 kilometres away, with Fonterra Studholme also nearby.