Annandale

Annandale is a 515 hectare fattening property located in Whatawhata a short drive from the Hamilton CBD. Bordering to the farm is Highbrook Development of around 60 rural residential blocks which shows the city is right there and expanding quickly.\nAnnandale is part of the New Zealand Rural Equities portfolio of farms and is being sold to facilitate the development of other properties held by its corporate owners.\nAs with all Rural Equities properties Annandale is a very well set up unit. No effort, energy or capital investment has been spared to make this an excellent opportunity as either a comprehensive fattening unit or an easily accessed dairy support unit for the larger dairy farming operation. Very easy to manage as a one person unit with the top class present manager willing to stay on for the new owner.\nThe contour is a good mix with around 90 hectares flat to gentle rolling - plenty of hay country - 330 hectares rolling to hill and the balance is medium to some steeper country. There is around 25-30 hectares of non-effective area in bush and wetlands.\nThe property is split by State Highway 23 being the Hamilton to Raglan road with 58 hectares on the northern side with a three bedroom home (currently rented) and a very good set of cattle yards and divided into 20 paddocks. The main block on the southern side has most of the farm infrastructure which includes a three stand woolshed with a near new set of sheep yards adjacent with adjustable steel ramp load out facilities. Behind the woolshed are two containers - one for storage of chemicals and the other housing the water pumping system for the entire property. \nThe property is very well fenced with much of it being new 7 wire post and batten and electric to about 120 paddocks. The fencing and subdivision work is on-going and will be to settlement day.\nA very good central laneway extends through most of the farm with good side races feeding to the furthest paddocks. Access is generally good to most areas with a capital investment in tracking still being undertaken. The pastures all appear to be healthy and strong and relatively clean with a comprehensive weed control programme in place. \nThe water is drawn from a stream near the front of the farm with a concrete encased inlet capacity and pumped via a powerful Grundfos through 63mm high density mainline to five elevated manacon tanks which have been strategically placed around the high points with gravity feed systems to troughs in all paddocks. This is a very good water system which also provides for a helicopter filling station on an elevated site to provide a quick turnaround. This is located within the farm.\nIn the centre of the property is an excellent set of cattle yards which are easily accessed from all directions and have all weather truck access and a large turning area. The yards are comprised of six main pens with good drafting facilities to a heavy duty crush and weigh station (with electronic scales) and loading race. Safety, ease of management and flow for both man and cattle have been carefully considered in their construction.\nThe soil types vary with predominately naturally fertile clay loam on the eastern side and lower areas, with the hills being a mix derived from volcanic ash and Dunmore silt loam.\nThe stocking regime has fluctuated depending on time of the year and prevailing weather conditions as the owners have other properties nearby which they move stock to and from. Stock units at the end of June this year according to the owners is around 4500 of which the majority is cattle units. \nThe property is run by a manager who lives on the property in a two level Lockwood home of three bedrooms, master ensuite, with three car garaging. The open plan kitchen, dining and living has a solid fuel fire for heating. The setting is private and nicely elevated with views over the entrance and buildings on the property.\nThe property is in five titles and lies in the Waikato District Council catchment area and is situated in a strong traditional sheep, beef and dairying area. Lifestyle with rural residential housing is fast becoming the norm in the area with its easy access to all services and facilities in the city just a few minutes away and the surf and sand beaches of Raglan not too distant. \nThis is a great well set up one person unit for a number of farming options and in an area where growth can only get stronger. Most of the money has been spent on improvements to give any potential purchaser comfort that they buying a quality unit.\n