A top-class dairy operation in the midlands has become available to let in the last number of weeks. Located in Ballinakill, Moate, Co Westmeath, the farm is 162 acres in total and is a fully operational dairy enterprise with a number of quality facilities accompanying.

The farm

'Turnkey' is the buzzword here. Fully functioning, the farm is ready to use. The good-quality paddocks are well-laid out with a well-developed paddock fencing system.

A low-lying farm, it is supplied by piped water from a bored well. Currently all laid out in grass, it is accessed with excellent farm roadways and farm underpass.

There is also a comprehensive farmyard area that has the ability of facilitating almost 220 cattle. The buildings include six sheds with a total of 217 cow and heifer cubicles.

It contains a 16-unit Gascoigne milking parlour with new ACRs as well as a computerised field-to-yield feed system. There is also an open-walled silage pits, calf houses and general purpose houses. The farm is currently milking 140 cows.

Enquiries from New Zealand and Qatar

Offering this farm to the market is Mike Brady of Brady Group. When speaking to the Cork-based auctioneer, one thing that came apparent was the number of strong enquiries he has received.

The level of interest has been local, national and international, with some enquiries coming from as far away as New Zealand and Qatar. These enquiries are also a mix of new entrants and farmers interested in managing secondary operations.

The offering

The guide on the farm is €275/ac or €44,500 per annum. The lease is over a term of 10 years running from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029. The lease cost and BPS entitlements will be reviewed on 1 April 2024. The payment will be monthly on the 20th of each month by standing order, the auctioneer confirmed.

The lessor has 87.46 entitlements worth approximately €242.86 each (including greening) which amounts to €21,241 per annum. It is proposed to lease approximately 65 entitlements with the farm.

According to Brady, the quality of the tenant is as important as the price achieved. The farm is being leased by a retiring family.