NZ Dairy
DAIRY PEOPLE » Waibury Farms
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Strong business model works well Sue Russell When Mark Holland formed Waibury Farms in 2000, he held strong convictions not only about how best to secure sound financial outcomes for investors but also how to operate an inherently strong business model which would see skilled farm managers become equity partners on farms with the goal of cash and capital growth for all. In ensuing years, Waibury (a merging of Waikato and Canterbury to give it its name) has invested in eight dairy units in the Hurunui district in North Canterbury. The farms are all situated in the flat and highly fertile Amuri basin and range in size from 243 to 358 hectares, with herds ranging from 830 to 1180 cows. “We could see the potential of substantially improving production on these farms by handpicking equity managers who were passionate about dairy farming and of securing their own foothold in the industry by investing in themselves and the farm. “It is a strong model and to date it has proved extremely successful,” Mark says. Dairy production statistics for 2013-2014 indicate just how productive North Canterbury has become and particularly the Hurunui district. The region ranked the highest in per cow production statistics at 416 kgMS per cow and 1,457 kgMS per hectare, with an average stocking rate of 3.65 cows per hectare. The 2015-2016 season saw the group
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Waibury Farms (a merging of Waikato and Canterbury to give it its name) has invested in eight dairy units in the Hurunui district in North Canterbury.
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