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OAKRIDGE FARM

Welcome to Oakridge Farm. Nigel and I purchased the original six-acre property on Paparoa Station Road in 2014 with the intention of creating a more relaxed lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a home we would one day retire to. Our dream was to become as self-sufficient as possible.

We began by planting a substantial home orchard, which now has about 50 heirloom fruit trees and a large vegetable garden. We bought some Wiltshire sheep, Henry the Ram and six ewes, followed by our first Australian Lowline Cattle, Don the Bull and two cows: Morning Glory & Marvellous. Then the chickens arrived; Caroline, Mary & Adele, named after the fabulous 1970’s singing trio The Yandall sisters.

In 2018, Jonny sold his long running business ‘il buco’ in Auckland, moved to the farm and became a retired gentleman farmer. Around the same time, we also purchased the eight-acre block directly behind the existing block, which was covered with Pine Trees, Willows & pampas. And so began a two-year project to clear the land and the Waikopikopiko River which was totally choked with Willow and return it to productive grazing for the animals with a healthy river for water supply.

As custodians of the whenua we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. The entire length of the stream has been fenced and we continue to plant the riverbanks with native river species.

In 2022 we purchased 40 acres of the neighbouring farm across the road and increased our herd of Australian Lowlines to twelve breeding cows and one Bull.

As a small boutique farm, it was important for us to find a local market for our beef that complimented our lifestyle and our philosophy of ‘Paddock to Plate’ farming and ‘Nose to Tail’ Butchery.

The quality of our beef and our environmental footprint are the most important factors in all our decisions. Our stocking rates are far less than most large-scale beef farms, so our animals are always really well fed and very happy. As soon as our animals have reached the desired weight they are sent for slaughter & butchering.

We then deliver your delicious Oakridge Beef directly to your door. We have put so much passion and hard work into our fabulous and thriving Lowline herd that we decided it was time to share the rewards with a larger audience.  We invite you to read on and find out how you can get to enjoy the whole paddock to plate and nose to tail experience in your own home.

Love, Jonny.

REGISTER TO BUY

If you would like to purchase Oakridge Beef, simply register your interest and join the queue. We’ll keep you in the loop and contact you when your cow is ready. We know a whole cow is a bit overwhelming for a single household, but just as syndicates are bought together to purchase a barrel of aging whisky, we see successful syndicates who pitch in and share a cow amongst freezers.  It is a wonderful and cost effective way to enjoy quality beef that you know has had a happy life and been butchered with passion and expertise for a better eating experience.