Highveld Pastures

Highveld Pastures

Methven

Highveld Pastures was purchased in June 2021 as an existing dairy platform. The property is 230ha and aims to milk 850 cows.

Irrigation is by centre pivots and a linear irrigator, with connection to the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme.

The business is a joint venture between the Camden Group, Waterton Agricultural Ltd, the Kilday, Maw and Coetzee families, John Donkers and Steffan Vermeer, who have all been involved with Camden Group businesses past or present.

Equity Managers Flo and Jen Coetzee run the day-to-day operations with support from the management teams at Camden Group and Waterton Agricultural.

Reynolds Road, Methven

Established 2021

850 cows

213 ha

Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme

54-bail rotary shed

5 staff

Management Team

Flo & Jen Coetzee

Equity Managers
Highveld Pastures

Terry Kilday

Director and Supervisor
Highveld Pastures

Leo Donkers

Director and Supervisor
Highveld Pastures

Glenn Jones

Director and Supervisor
Highveld Pastures

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Highveld Pastures

Portfolio

Kohika Downs

Kohika Downs

South Canterbury

Alto Holdings Ltd was set up in 2009 as a joint venture with Tony and Anna Wakelin. 50/50 sharemilking began in West Eyreton, with 1,050 cows on 340ha.

After 10 years of sharemilking, 2019 saw Camden Dairy Farms and Tony and Anna Wakelin co-purchase a 501ha dryland dairy farm in South Canterbury, renaming the company to Kohika Downs Ltd.

The property is self-contained with adjacent land leased for dairy support.

Kohika achieved their target of 420,722kgMS in their first season of 2019/20, and exceeded their 2020/21 target by achieving 458,241kgMS in their second season.

Back Line Road, Otaio

Established 2009

1,050 cows

436kgMS per cow

501ha

Dryland

80 bail rotary shed

6 staff

Management Team

Tony & Anna Wakelin

Equity Managers
Kohika Downs

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Leo Donkers

Consultant
Camden Group

Portfolio

Chiswick Farm

Chiswick Farm

Te Pirita

When Chiswick Farm was purchased in 1999, it operated as the winter support land and silage farm for the Camden, Willsden and Prairie farms.

After connecting to the CPWL irrigation scheme in 2015, Chiswick was converted to dairy in 2016.

With the fifth season in 2020/21, production with 240ha effective is 406,943kg milk solids or 1,621kgMS per hectare.

Irrigation is delivered for 100ha by 515m centre pivot, 110ha by 3 rotorainers, 7ha using fixed sprinklers and 12ha is covered by the Prairie Farm pivot.

Sharlands Road, Te Pirita

Purchased 1999

930 cows

438kgMS per cow

251ha

CPWL supply water

60 bail rotary shed

6 staff

Management Team

Mike Spiers

Farm Manager
Chiswick Farm

Assistant Manager
Chiswick Farm

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

Portfolio

Prairie Farm

Prairie Farm

Te Pirita

Originally a traditional dryland sheep farm, Prairie Farm was purchased by Camden Group in November 2000.

Dairy conversion began straight away, with drilling of the first irrigation bore, removal of 5km of 8m pine hedges to allow for irrigation development. The whole farm was cultivated and re-sowed in new pasture in February 2001.

Milking began in August 2001 with 870 cows, and in 2005 expanded to 1,000 cows. Current production with 260ha effective is 438,198kg milk solids or 1,685kgMS per hectare.

Irrigation is via 115ha by three rotorainers, 135ha by a 774 centre pivot, 12ha by a 315 wiper pivot, and fixed k-lines in two corners.

Rakaia Terrace Road, Te Pirita

Established 2000

1,000 cows

448kgMS per cow

280ha

CPWL supply water

50 bail rotary shed

6 staff

Management Team

Alvin Caparos

Farm Manager
Prairie Farm

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

Portfolio

Willsden Farm

Willsden Farm

Te Pirita

Willsden Farm was purchased in November 1997, and an extra 120ha of neighbouring land was purchased in November 2000 to add to the farm.

It had been operating as a traditional dryland sheep farm before dairy conversion began in November 1998 with the drilling of the first irrigation bore and removal of 8km of 8m pine hedges to allow for irrigation development.

Milking began in August 1999 with 650 cows, and in 2001 this expanded to 1,050 cows. Current production with 306ha effective is 499,180kg milk solids or 1,631kgMS per hectare.

125ha is irrigated by three rotorainers, 170ha by a 776m centre pivot, 80ha by a 620 wiper pivot, and 11ha by k-lines in two corners.

Currently 80ha of the 419ha property is leased to Highbury Farm as support land.

Ardlui Road, Te Pirita

Established 1997

1,050 cows

471kgMS per cow

419ha

CPWL supply water

50 bail rotary shed

6 staff

Management Team

Liam Alley

Farm Manager

Mark Santos

Assistant Farm Manager

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

Portfolio

Camden Farm

Camden Farm

Selwyn District

The 221ha Camden Farm was the first property purchased by the Group in February 1994, which had been operating as a traditional dry land beef farm.

Dairy conversion began as soon as the sale was completed. This involved upgrading the irrigation system, upgrading the stock water system, re-fencing and planting shelterbelts.

28ha is currently irrigated by three rotorainers, 108ha is irrigated by a 753m centre pivot, 60ha by a 600m centre pivot, and 18ha by sprinklers in the corners.

Milking began in August 1994 with 500 cows and was expanded to 700 cows by 1997. Current production with 214ha effective is 342,804kg milksolids or 1,602kgMS per hectare.

A new 54-bail rotary shed replaced the 40-a-side herringbone shed for the 2020-2021 season, which – when combined with other development – meant the stock numbers could be increased.

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Rakaia Selwyn Road, Bankside

Established 1994

800 cows

438kgMS per cow

221ha

Groundwater irrigation

54-bail rotary shed

5 staff

Management Team

Oliver Hampson

Farm Manager
Camden Farm

Anta Chaudhary

Assistant Manager
Camden Farm

Terry Kilday

General Manager
Camden Group

Travis Gordon

Business Manager
Camden Group

Portfolio