A poultry farm with ‘best practice’ operations and top-of-the-line computerised control systems is up for sale as the industry is tipped for a momentous growth milestone.

The profitable farm near Pukekohe is described by those marketing the sale as one of the best operations in the market. With four large modern broiler sheds and proven systems, it produces an average of seven runs of 150,000 chickens per year.

The operation generates a net income of $933,780 plus outgoings and GST per annum, based on the last two years’ sales.

The farm has a rolling contract to supply Brinks NZ Chicken, a family business of 70 years. A buyer can acquire the farm with full management of the operation in place or take full control as an owner-operator.

The more than seven-hectare site includes a freshly renovated stylish four-bedroom owner’s residence with tranquil views.

The sale comes as a leading industry researcher tips New Zealand’s poultry production to top that of lamb by 2035.

Coriolis farm industry research group director Tim Morris reportedly told a recent industry webinar there were several reasons to be positive about investing in poultry.

Consumers were shifting to chicken globally as its price fell relative to other meats. Producers were reaping genetic gains, with bird weight at slaughter increasing slightly each year.

The prevalence of value-added processed products helped insulate the industry from commodity cycles. Poultry enjoyed a streamlined supply chain and protection from outside threats, such as imports, due to biosecurity concerns, Morris told Farmers Weekly.

Producers have several channels to sell poultry into, with 40 percent going to supermarkets and the balance to the foodservice industry, industrial processors and exports.

The poultry farm at 29 Arrowville Road, Pukekohe, is being marketed for sale by Shane Snijder and Ben Jameson of Bayleys Pukekohe. It will be sold by way of a tender closing on Wednesday 10 July, unless sold prior.

Snijder said the property comprised buildings spanning more than 8,730 square metres on approximately 7.03 hectares of freehold land with multiple car parks.

At the heart of poultry production are four modern broiler sheds built in the early 2000s with a combined floor area of over 8,500 square metres, supplemented with a manager’s office and staff facilities.

“The farm is fitted with top-of-the-line broiler and environment control systems. The sheds and ancillary systems are maintained to a very high standard and have a proven track record of strong production.

“The sheds are open-space barns with no cages so birds have unrestricted movement within the barn. Computerised management systems assure the birds of continuous access to food and water and a healthy ambient temperature controlled via gas heating and cooling fans.

“These systems are, in turn, monitored by a 24-hour alarm contractor so any system fault can be remedied immediately to ensure best practice. This is one of the best operations on the market and it’s ready to be taken over with an existing management contract in place,” said Snijder.

The farm comes with consented water bore and filtration systems and grain feed silos, of which there are three per shed. Operations are backed by a standby electricity generator.

Jameson said the farm would appeal to buyers as a well-located property sustaining a successful operation in an industry with a promising future.

“Poultry farming is a proven business model with secure supply contracts and climate-controlled environments that help to minimise weather-related interruptions and seasonal fluctuations,” he said.

Positioned just outside the Auckland regional boundary, a few kilometres southwest of Pukekohe, the site is zoned Rural Industry by Waikato District Council.

"This zoning seeks to maintain prized rural land for productive rural activities. Famed for its fertile soils, this area has long been a stronghold of primary production including extensive dairy and sheep farming and horticulture, with rural-residential lifestyle lots interspersed.

“The New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company has a factory nearby dating to the early 1900s.

“However, this location midway between Auckland and Hamilton also benefits from its proximity to major population centres – including some of the country’s fastest growing urban areas towards Auckland’s southern edge,” Jameson said.

Click here for more information on the listing.