The shadow of the nitrates derogation is never far away from a dairy farmer’s mind and some have been on the lookout for smaller grassland holdings to ease their concerns around stocking rates.

Non-residential small holdings between 10ac to 40ac have seen increased demand as a result.

That’s why the appearance of a block of land in that range in the Barryroe area of west Cork is going to be a sale to watch. Hodnett Forde Property Services, Clonakilty have recently brought a 31ac non-residential holding to the market.

The grassland holding at Lislee Court, Courtmacsherry, is currently laid out in one large field all in grass. The land is sub-divided into paddocks, is securely fenced and has good water infrastructure in place. Suitable for any farming enterprise, it’s being sold by private treaty and has good road frontage on its northern boundary.

This farm, just over 3km from Barryroe Co-op and 5km from the village of Courtmacsherry, is being guided in the region of €18,000/ac to €20,000/ac by John Hodnett.

Heading east in the Rebel County, dairy farmers have also been active, according to Ballyhooly-based auctioneer Paul O’Driscoll. He has had a busy few months and, in that time, has gone sale agreed on close to 100ac in the form of three separate farms in the general east Cork area. He says: “Land prices are holding very strong in the area over the last few months and we’re seeing dairy farmers are becoming active, mainly driven by concerns over the derogation. They’re looking to pick up smaller holdings close to them if they come on the market.”

He has another grassland property in the form of 15ac of grassland at Ballyogaha East, Dungourney that has just come on the market. For sale by private treaty, it’s in one block and is guided at €225,000.