Section 25, Hundred of Barwell

Total Area: 2020 hectares (4990 acres approx)
Total Arable: 1324.5 hectares approx (3272 acres)
Approx 460 hectares (1140 acres) one block of free hold scrub (Perhaps one day it will count as one of Julia?s carbon banks, who knows with the present pending legislation)
Balance shelter belts

Ducky Downs is a large cropping and grazing property situated approx 17kms South West of Lock.
The property was purchased in 1984 by the Dutschke family and worked as one farm with their original ?home? farm.

They farmed it traditionally as a cereal/merino sheep enterprise working on a two year rotation using grass freed medic pastures and cereal crops with generous super rates (80kg 18:20).

By itself, and using a two year rotation they estimate the property would run 850 ewes, 800 lambs, cut a minimum of 50 bales of wool and sow half (approx 1630 acres) to cereal.

Three seasons ago the property was leased to two local grain growers, who are growing canola, cereal and legumes.

As in most places the returns from the last two seasons have been excellent and the crops look good again this year. The owners comment that the property is coming of age and all their hard work clearing and improving new ground will pay off in the future for the next generation.

Large paddocks, with straight runs lend themselves for auto steer and the efficiencies associated with cropping bigger acres.

The Lock silos are approx 24kms away, while Murdinga is only 16kms. Infra-structure is varied. Fencing is very good, being mainly creo posts and cyclone. The property is fenced into 13 main paddocks and 3 holding paddocks.

Troughs are set up in 15 paddocks, with three storage tanks providing back up. Mains water is connected via a private agreement.

The shearing shed is large, high and works well. Three stands, raised board and a capacity of approx 200 ewes, while the sheep yards of pipe and mesh have a holding capacity of approx 1200 head.

As with a lot of properties that have been run in conjunction with another farm, the shedding is deemed to be too small. Two sheds, one 60ft x 30ft x12ft, one 25ft x 50ft but surprise surprise they are full of machinery or hay. An old roll top super shed requires work. Three cone bottom silos and one flat bottom silo are also on the farm.

There is a three bedroomed home on the property that needs work. The house is more suited to being a place to camp while working on the property than as a permanent family home.

Being located alongside the Bascombe Conservation Park is an advantage as the property tends to pick up showers that other areas miss out on.

For inspections and further details contact Mark Walsh.

Property Code: 210