Horizons / Dairy
Jarred & Bronwyn Clode
Te Hou Farms Limited Partnership
4 Feb 2026
Te Hou Farms is setting a gold standard in large-scale dairy farming, driven by strategic expansion and the outstanding expertise of managers Jarred and Bronwyn Clode.
The 1,324ha (1,200ha effective) property is two-thirds owned by Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa Developments Limited, in partnership with Ātihau Whanganui Incorporation.
The farm operates a significant 530ha dairy platform that supports 1,650 cows, complemented by a 600ha drystock property. This two-part system is highly efficient, rearing 1,200 beef calves annually and growing 120ha of maize silage. This ensures the self-contained operation has excellent biosecurity plus insulates the business from market volatility.
The judges said that Jarred had outstanding knowledge of the entire farming operation and deep expertise in each aspect of the business. This expertise guides everything from the strategic use of irrigation to sophisticated pasture management.
The team’s stewardship of the land is meticulously planned. They employ minimum till and strip till techniques and demonstrate an acute awareness of soil qualities, applying fertiliser precisely to match.
Their strategy of split calving reduces the risk associated with dry summers, while their recognition of the land’s strengths and limitations allows them to tailor its use perfectly. For example, mixed-age cows are wintered on the freer-draining drystock block to minimise the risk of damaging the dairy platform.
Sustainability is a key pillar of the operation. Te Hou Farms features 27ha of retired riparian and wetland areas that have been planted with native trees and shrubs. These significant tracts are crucial for water filtration, effectively trapping sediment and pollutants before they can enter the river system – ultimately enhancing biodiversity and water quality.
Te Hou Farms is a powerful example of how strategic investment, continuous improvement, and deep operational knowledge can achieve both high commercial performance and exemplary environmental outcomes.
