Dairy farming close to Auckland

First-time farm buyers or those looking to expand their farming business will find appeal in a 100ha mid-input dairy unit at Otaua in the Franklin District, less than an hour from Auckland Airport.

The property is for sale by negotiation with Bayleys after being farmed by four generations of the same family.

Currently milking approximately 325 cows across, Bayleys Pukekohe rural salesperson Ian Buchanan says dairy units of this size are an “absolute rarity” so close to Auckland.

“The property is all flat and has quality infrastructure designed for efficient day-to-day farming operations,” he says.

“This season’s production will better the previous season (2024-25) when the herd produced just over 146,500 kilograms of milk solids, which was more than 450 kilograms per cow.”

Buchanan says the property is already attracting good interest from a range of potential buyers.

“Obviously, I expected this property to be appealing to existing dairy farmers looking to expand their business, but its location and proximity to Auckland is also drawing attention from urban purchasers – ranging from well-heeled lifestyle-motivated families to investment-minded groups who are seeking an entry-level dairy farm with dependable performance.”

“This is not a high-input farm with lots of bought-in feed required to maintain production, so that ticks a lot of boxes with both existing dairy farm owners looking for an extra unit, or those looking for a start in the dairy sector,” he says.

At the heart of the farm is a 36-bail rotary cowshed which is complemented by a nine-bay implement shed, a four-bay implement shed with adjoining four-bay workshop, a four-bay calf rearing shed and a wintering barn with scope to house 180 cows.

“Everything is in good shape and well maintained by the current owners. The excellent array of support buildings really adds to the ease of operating this farm,” he says.

Water is sourced from a reliable bore and reticulated across the farm. Boundary fencing is six-wire and post construction, with one-wire electric, and there are two main races for ease of stock movement, with a single electric wire surrounding all the main drains.

There is storage on farm for up to 90 days of effluent from the holding yard and a travelling spray irrigator to spread it over 24 hectares of the milking platform.

The farm offers ample accommodation, including a four-bedroom family-friendly main home with a practical floorplan and swimming pool, plus a separate three-bedroom worker's cottage and a worker accommodation unit.

“The main dwelling has recently undergone an exterior repaint, and both the main residence and workers’ cottage are well maintained and presented in good order.”

The property has a network of road canals and drainage in place and is renowned for its reliable pasture growth late into the season.

“When most dairy properties are starting to dry off herds in the late autumn, this farm is usually still able to milk late into the season which is a real plus,” he says.

Another big plus with the sale of the property is the vendor’s willingness to delay settlement, through to the end of the 2026-27 season.

“There is a contract milker in place on an agreement which runs through to the end of next season, so new owners could either take over that contract and retain the existing milker or delay the settlement until the contract expires mid-2027,” he says.

The farm is within easy reach of Waiuku and Pukekohe. Pukekohe offers a good range of farm service businesses and schools, ensuring a good balance between productive farming and rural lifestyle.