Concerns over the future of the nitrates derogation has resulted in an increased demand for land, especially smaller holdings in dairy heartlands. Interest in these tidier offerings isn’t solely confined to farmers though, according to Cork auctioneer John Hodnett.

“What I’ve noticed in recent years is smaller acreage brings interest from different sectors within farming but also from those not directly farming themselves.

“We’d often get firm enquiries from people working abroad, who are from a farming background and they always show an interest in anything from 10 to 30 acres.

“They just want to have a piece of ground that gives them a connection with farming. That’s one of the reasons why those types of properties will always command a strong price, that is, provided the package is suitable.”

The Clonakilty-based auctioneer currently has one such property in the form of a 12ac holding at Bealad, that fronts onto the R599 road connecting the towns of Clonakilty and Dunmanway. Presently in grass, it’s all in one block and divided into two fields.

The 12ac holding is a short distance from Clonakilty and the R599 road.

Speaking about the holding, John Hodnett said: “It’s suitable for any farming enterprise and would ideally suit someone looking to extend an existing holding.

“At 6km from Clonakilty, there might be potential for a site subject to planning permission, but we’re selling it as agricultural land.

“It’s guided in the region of €15,000 to €20,000/ac and is currently under offer having received strong interest since it was launched on the market just before Christmas.”