Patoka dairy opportunity

While not a high-profile dairying region, the sale of a Patoka dairy unit means Hawke’s Bay offers the opportunity to participate in the pastoral sector’s biggest earner, without having to opt for higher priced, traditional dairying districts.

Bayleys agent Tony Rasmussen is overseeing the sale of 300 Hawkston Road at Patoka, a 313ha property with a 280ha effective milking area which has recently achieved 265,000kg milk solids without irrigation.

Having been converted from a pastoral sheep and beef property almost 20 years ago, the Patoka farm has been established on well fertilised soils in a district renowned for its reliable rainfall, and dairy-friendly contour.

“The current owners have made a point of consistently re-investing back into the property over the past few years. We have seen extensive re-grassing throughout and a solid fertiliser programme with significant lifts in its Olsen P levels and Ph in the past five years.”

With annual rainfall of between 1500mm and 1800mm, the property’s free draining ash soils have proven well-suited to dairying demands in terms of stocking rates and grass growth curve.

This Patoka dairy farm has natural on farm water in abundance, with good access to spring water supply matched by a ground well source.

In recent years the farm’s productive ability has been lifted further with the addition of Halter collar tech to the herd. Location and the installation of three transmission towers means farm connectivity is excellent.

The farm’s efficiency has been locked in with subdivision of 70 main paddocks connected via a superior race system, leading to the 60-bail rotary farm dairy with a high level of spec including AMR cup removes, automated teat spraying and an in-place near new generator unit.

The farm’s seasonal functions are well supported by calf rearing sheds capable of rearing over 400 calves with the addition of a new three bay implement shed.

Expenditure on the farm’s dwellings has four quality houses adding to the property’s appeal. The main homestead of 220sqm is a well-positioned five-bedroom home in a modern design with appealing living space and indoor-outdoor flow.

The other dwellings include a three-bedroom dwelling just over a decade old, an older 140sqm house, and a 1960s two-bedroom dwelling for staff accommodation.

All discharge and effluent pond systems are fully compliant. Interested parties also have the opportunity to make their Patoka purchase as seamless as possible, with the property’s full range of plant, equipment and 680 milkers plus replacements available for purchase.

For farming families with children attending school the farm is well located, with an easy 30-minute drive to Napier and only 6km to nearby Patoka primary school.

“Patoka is a vigorous, strong farming district, with a great community while its proximity to the Kaweka Forest Park adds to the appeal, with plenty of hunting, tramping and fishing opportunities nearby,” says Rasmussen.

With dairy property values starting to surge in traditional dairying areas, the Patoka property with its expected price in the $30 thousands band is an opportunity that could be half the cost of land in those areas.

“And this will not be a property that only delivers half the return. It has a proven track record for production, and it’s likely there’s still more that can be generated from it.

“For anyone who may be a first farm buyer, or looking to be an equity partner in a property, this represents an excellent opportunity and great return on investment.”