After around 160 years, the Couper family calls it a day with one of the Tasman region’s largest clearing sales in decades.

Spectacular weather and a sizeable crowd helped make the Raidale Farm clearing sale on 23 April the Tasman region’s largest event of its kind in decades.

Owen and Lina Couper began farming Raidale, alongside the Pelorus River in the Rai Valley in 1996, with the Couper family’s tenure in the Rai Valley  stretching back multiple generations to the 1860s.

Staged by PGG Wrightson Livestock under Peter Taylor, Peter Barnes and Chaz Woodhouse the sale turned over in excess of $500,000 and attracted a crowd in the hundreds, including buyers from as far south as Canterbury. Several people noted that the event was more like an A&P show. Given farming’s current challenges, it was well timed as a boost for community morale.

High quality farm machinery was the highlight. Three near new John Deere tractors sold on the day with a top price of $140,000. 

Meanwhile the onsite barbecue did a flourishing trade, serving as a fundraiser for a local youngster heading overseas for a sporting event.

On behalf of the Coupers, Joe Blakiston and Greg Lyons of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Blenheim, sold Raidale Farm in March for $7.3 million.