Benmore, in the Tiraumea district in northern Wairarapa, covers an area of 633ha (485ha effective). The Thorneycrofts’ first look at the farm identified infrastructure as being an area for major improvement but at the right price saw potential to grow the capital base considerably. With family assistance they were able to put together enough capital to buy the farm and haven’t looked back since.
Their first year, 2007, was a difficult one. However, in spite of being confronted by a severe drought that limited the carrying capacity of the farm to 70% of its potential, they were able to financially break-even.
