Farms: Findlay Farms

At approximately 417 hectares, Findlay Farm is a self-contained dairy farm that enjoys the warmer lowland climate of the Tararua District. Situated 17km north east of Dannevirke, this property has modern, high quality infrastructure including a 50 bail, computerised rotary dairy, 600 cow feedpad and high quality housing. The dairy platform of 260 hectares is centrally laned and fenced with a mixture of conventional 8 wire post and batten fencing, and 2 to 3 wire electrics into more than 70 paddocks. Non-dairy grazing is subdivided into a number of smaller paddocks around the dairy platform. In terms of access, the property has an excellent loop tanker road. An extensive network of wide races services the farm. There is a metal source on the farm, valuable for maintaining tracks and trough surrounds. Farm Water Supply is sourced from the Manawatu River and a bore. The Water Permit, current to July 2031, allows for 112 cubic meters per day for dairy shed and livestock use. A Water management shed with Dosatron unit enables the injection of minerals to the stock water supply. Rainfall is approximately 1,200 to 1,400mm per annum and the prevailing winds are westerly. Modern tetraploid ryegrass-based pastures conducive to intensive dairy production have been in place for 20 years. A C-Dax grass measuring system is used to regularly monitor pasture growth and plan feed management throughout the year. Annual pasture performance has been measured at 14 and a half tonnes of dry matter per hectare. . There is approximately 16km of established pine shelter belts which provide good protection for livestock and pasture. Production history has seen a steady rise since 2009 from 210,000 kg milksolids to last seasons 310,000 kg milksolids. The hard yards have been done on this modern dairy unit. Pastures and infrastructure are superbly set up to benefit the future owners. An excellent calf rearing facility with mains power, stock loading race and holding paddocks is located adjacent to the woolshed. Around 170 calves are reared each year Centre pivot and K-Line irrigates 69 hectares. The pump is on a trailer for ease of movement and maintenance, with the intake direct from the Manawatu River. A consent is in place to take up to 2,305 cubic meters per day. This farm supplies Fonterra Co-Operative and is fully shared to 301,568 shares.  The Homestead is a four bedroom, two bathroom Lockwood home with two car internal access garaging. The sheltered grounds include an in-ground swimming pool.  The second house, built in 2008 has four bedrooms, two living areas and an internal access double garage. The third dwelling is a three bedroom cottage with a garage, providing excellent accommodation. The milk monitoring system enables daily monitoring as well as automated weighing and drafting. The plant includes a state of the art automatic washdown system. Grade Free certificates on the Office wall are testament to the high standard of milk quality. Milk storage vats have extra cooling capacity if needed for the hotter weather. And the dairy also has an office, vet room and bathroom.  This established dairy farm provides an outstanding opportunity to acquire a property with an excellent modern infrastructure in a well planned layout. The farm demonstrates consistent production in a non-flood-prone, safe climate position. Production gains are very possible through intensification of the feeding systems, through wintering off of the entire herd, or through an increase in cow numbers. A wintering barn is another very real possibility, together with winter milking.