Hedgehope Pastoral
“A dairy farm investment that achieves record production in a record payout year in spite of the farm being under snow for a week in September, is very satisfying!”
The Chairman of Hedgehope Pastoral, Ron Scott says the syndicate’s 2010/11 season results were even more remarkable after such a tough start.
Southland was hit by a massive spring storm in September 2010 that left snow up to 17cm deep on farms for several days. The ‘weather bomb’ had a severe impact on Southland due to the bitterly cold conditions it brought with it. Most of the 14 MyFarm syndicates in Southland were forced to dump milk during the height of the storm when Fonterra tankers were grounded due to closed roads and tanker tracks.
Under the experienced hand of equity managers, Lester and Carolyn Howden Hedgehope’s 1150 cows came through the ordeal in better than expected condition and recorded good conception rates during mating.
Total production for the season of 383,000kg milk solids was just 4% below budget. Ron says Hedgehope’s 14 shareholders, who’ve invested heavily in growing and developing their asset in the past five years are now happy to take a break from capital development and focus on productivity and profits for the next two seasons.
Ron, a retired dairy farmer, says he enjoys his investment because it keeps him touch with dairy farming which is in a “pretty positive” place right now. He also enjoys the mix of shareholders.
For equity managers, Lester and Carolyn Hedgehope has been a great career step, as well as a lot of fun.
“This is a great way to get your farm- we would never have land if we were still lower order sharemilking of working sheep and beef. MyFarm really helped us get there and the other shareholders backed us saying we’re here to help you out.”
Key Facts at a glance:
Hedgehope Pastoral Limited
The Hedgehope Pastoral Limited partnership of 14 shareholders was established in 2006 and includes 3 professionals; 3 business owners and 8 farmers. Their first five years of ownership shows how well managed groups of investors have the ability to seize growth opportunities when they occur;
2006 - 285Ha farm purchased
2007 - Built new 60 bale rotary cowshed
2007 - Lester and Carolyn Howden invest as Equity Managers
2008 - 2010 - Purchased 2 neighbouring farms increasing to 440ha;
2010/11 Season - Record production of 383,000kg MS from 1150 cows