Allan Crafar reflects on life on the farm

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Thu, 29 Sep 2011 7:00p.m.

Allan Crafar

Allan Crafar

A Chinese bidder wants to buy the Crafar farms in the central North Island, as does a New Zealand consortium lead by Sir Michael Fay.

But what of the man we refer to when we say the “Crafar farms”?

Until very recently, Allan Crafar ran New Zealand’s biggest dairy farm empire. But debt of almost $200 million became too much and the receivers moved in.

So, when you’re forced off $200 million worth of farms, where do you go?

Watch Tristram Clayton’s report

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Comments

18 Oct 2011 11:53a.m.

caleb churton wrote:

hay has any one got allans email address iv got a plan that could help email me if you do pls calebmollyadam@hotmail.co.nz

30 Sep 2011 08:15p.m.

Margaret wrote:

Doug-What is the point of such vitriolic hatred??? You VERY obviously do not know the truth of what happenned--how many do ?? Also envy of the success ( however long lived ) of others is unhealthy. Let it go. Crafars are suffering enough I would imagine. I do not know them but do know about farming and also the problems we can have when we-or the work applicant-overestimate/overstate- a staff member's ability,work ethic or conscience, etc. Just wait until info. starts to surface.

30 Sep 2011 10:25a.m.

pamela wrote:

Hi Team
Your news is right on the money with news i am interested in. I tape your show so i never miss it. Can you clarify some points for me on the Crafar farms.
1 How did one man is nz get so rich as to buy 22 farms?
2 Why would we allow one person to buy so many farms/land?
3 What bank or backer allowed this financial postion to occur?
4 What did Mr Crafar start with in the beginning and how long did this empire take to accummulate?
5 Why isn't there a law to say 5 or 2 farms is enough?
6 Which accounting and lawyer firms does he use that thought this position of 22 farms is a good one?
7 Are there anymore in this position or at the beginnings of this disgusting mess?
8 How many people have made money in allowing this situation to occur?
8 Is it possible that Mr Crafar could run 1 or 5 farms successfully as he appears to be a good kiwi bloke?
9 This is Asset Selling in another form if the government allows overseas people to purchase this land and therefore should be stopped at all costs.

29 Sep 2011 09:18p.m.

Doug wrote:

Crafar is no hero! He recklessly borrowed far more money than the business could sensibly sustain and then blames his bankers when he can't keep up payments. Try not paying your rent or mortgage and see how far you get blaming people who have taken the time to get an education. This is the same Crafar found guilty on several occasion of discharging effluent into steams - Oh that's right he's earning export dollars for the country but at what cost to the community? This is the same Crafar whose farms let weaner calves starve to death - apparently he was too busy to manage his staff. He has no place in dairying since he wrecks the good work done by professional dairy farmers. Good riddance!

29 Sep 2011 08:50p.m.

observer wrote:

We love Crafar Farms!!