Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods
The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.
A 202ha, FLAT, dry-stock farm, described as one of the most admired in the Wairarapa, sold under the hammer last week at $5.61 million, well in excess of its $4.8 million 2011 government valuation.
Brought to the market by Gary Scott of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Masterton, and sold at auction on May 8, the property, 'The Grange', is situated between Masterton and Carterton.
Gary Scott said around 60 people attended the auction.
"Bidding was brisk with five different bidders, including two parties bidding by phone. In the end, as often occurs with rural real estate, the successful purchaser was a neighbouring farmer who intends to consolidate 'The Grange' with his existing property, which is used for cropping and lamb finishing.
"At that price, the property exceeded the reserve and also surpassed most people's expectations, leaving both vendor and purchaser satisfied with the outcome," he said.
Scott sys, over the past 12 months, local rural property values have firmed and the number of sales has risen.
Described as a multi-use property, with capacity for finishing, breeding, cropping or dairy support, 'The Grange' features a 13-year-old, four-bedroom, two-storey homestead, and was in the hands of the previous owner for about 20 years.
South of the central Hawke’s Bay town of Waipukurau is Taniwha Station – a highly successful 550ha bull beef farming operation.
Beef + Lamb NZ funded research has shown that some simple changes to pasture management could help farmers make better use of rainfall and build resilience before dry conditions hit.
OPINION: There could hardly be a more appropriate theme for a conference than the one chosen by the red meat sector - Navigating Volatility.
When Northland leather worker Vernon Suckling started making horse saddles 50 years ago, quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles were unheard of.
Alliance Group has confirmed that eligible farmer-shareholders who supply and continue to back the business will receive up to $20 million later this year, following the strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats.
With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions on key issues facing the primary sector. We will run their responses to each question over the next four weeks. The ACT Party and the Greens didn't respond in time.

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