2014 has been very busy in terms of Farm transactions in the Wanganui Region. Confidence has returned to the region with most farms marketed properly are either under contract, sold, or close to it.
Pete Stratton of Bayleys Taihape reports that for the first time in quite a few years, the market is not clogged up with unsold farms, and this has now created a shortage of property available. He says buyers have returned to the days of waiting for the right farm to come on the market, with competition building to secure it.
Pete says today is Auction day in Ohakune with an attractive 72 hectare farm just south of Rangataua going under the hammer at 11am at the Ohakune Club. He says it has superb location and is adjacent to the Mangaehuehu Reserve and Stream, with stunning views over flat land, across to native bush and of course Mount Ruapehu. A fully redecorated three bedroom bungalow is set to take full advantage of the location.
Also today, Tenders close for Mangaohane Station, one of the largest farms to go on the market in the Region for a long time. Pete says Mangaohane is located in the Pukeokahu District North East of Taihape, and comprises one of the North Island’s pre-eminent sheep and cattle breeding and finishing stations. The Station has a total land area of approximately 4,840 hectares situated between the pristine Rangitikei River and the Ruahine Forest Park. The property benefits from being within a renown farming area and provides free draining productive soil types and a topography which features a very high proportion of easy rolling country. He says Mangaohane winters on average 44,000 sheep and cattle stock units.
Another large Station recently marketed by Bayleys is Lochinver Station. Pete says Tenders for Lochinver closed two weeks ago, with seven Tenders received from a mixture of local and offshore buyers. Lochinver is a truly iconic New Zealand station located close to Taupo, and comprising 13,800 hectares, wintering in excess of 108,000 stock units. The station features both exceptional scale and standard, currently operating as a profitable sheep and beef breeding and finishing station supplemented with dairy grazing. It is predominantly flat to easy hill country, with potential for a range of farming systems, including dairying, dairy support, stud, deer farming, cropping, sheep and beef finishing. Pete says the vendors were extremely happy with the outcome of the marketing campaign.
Closer to home, “The Shades”, a 1,091 hectare sheep and beef breeding unit that has been faithfully nurtured by the same family since 1907, was sold last month to a farming family from Northern Manawatu. Mr Stratton reports the Goss family will be taking possession at the end of March. This family is a well known name in shearing and rugby circles. Ronnie Goss was the 2008 Golden Shears Open wool handling champion and will be representing New Zealand at the World Championships in Ireland in May. Ronnie is the only woman to shear in three finals - Novice runner-up in 2007 and third in the 2010 Junior and 2012 Intermediate events. The Goss family also boasts NZ Rugby Sevens vice Captain Sarah Goss, who recently returned from representing New Zealand in the sevens in Brazil, was straight off the plane and defending her NZ Title in the Golden shears to claim 5th place this year in the Women’s Invitation Shearing. Allan & Ronnie Goss have sold their Peep o Day farm to move to Mangamahu.
Other recent sales include “Kaitawa”, an 89 hectare Dairy on Mellington Road in Hunterville. Marketing agent Geoff White reports the farm which produces around 70,000 KgMS, had an 18 aside herringbone Shed with an Alfa Laval milking system, and was sold for 22% above current GV.
Further North, settlement takes place later in the month on the 155 hectare farm at 174 Ruahine Road, just over the Rangitikei River from Mangaweka. Marketed by Pete Stratton, this 155 hectare farm featured picturesque views of the Rangitikei River Valley and is suitable for a variety of uses including dairy grazing, sheep and beef breeding or fattening.
For the first time this year Bayleys Coast to Coast is sponsoring the Bayleys Rural Lifestyle Pavilion at the Central Districts Field Days at Manfield, currently on over the next few days. Bayleys Country Manager Gary Brooks says Bayleys are delighted to be a part of the field days and invites everyone who can attend, to the Pavilion to see the range of displays and merchandise on show, as well as enjoy the hospitality of the exhibitors.