What an opportunity, set right in the lee under the majestic slopes of Mount Roland with a wonderful balance of undulating slopes, and river-flat pastures; winter shelter and open grazing; abundant water storage (with capability and approval for expansion), gravity fed irrigation and stock watering points, this is a large acreage farm that commands attention, and would be ideal as a Dairy conversion or Heifer replacement rearing farm, and has proven to be effective with a range of crops.

This property has only been operated by two families since 1959. 228 hectares (568 acres approximately), set on seven titles Hillstead currently runs a beef and sheep farming operation comprising up to 800 head of beef cattle, primarily black Angus, and approximately 750 breeding sheep, predominantly Suffolk, in conjunction with additional neighbouring land holding. This property in previous times (as a piece of history) also supported a thoroughbred horse stud of approximately one hundred brood mares.

The property consistently cuts approximately 1,000 round bales of hay per year as supplementary feed. With a regular fertiliser history over many years the property has also grown fodder crops off shemolia, chicory, rape and brassicas. The property has also been utilised for cereal crops including barley, wheat and oats. The property has also been used for the production of potatoes, but not so recently that they would impede a current rotation, and the past two seasons has produced significant crops of poppies.

The property has been extensively planted to poppies this season, in addition to winter wheat, and barley grain crops. As such the vendor has been cutting down on livestock numbers which has been at approximately 1 cow per two acres (One at foot plus one in utero) and will run store cattle in future which depending on strip grazing & management techniques (plus of course seasonal variation, fertiliser regimes) on average could be expected to be 1 to the acre.

This is a very productive property, and has been over many years. The vendor is currently in a programme of renovating fences linked to the move more to broad acre cropping, and less focus on intensive grazing f beef cattle, so areas have been opened up often targeting older fence line areas.

The property is predominantly sown to Rye, red and white clover grass species with a regular programme of pasture renovation. Stock and irrigation water is reticulated by gravity to 37 main paddocks and approximately 5 smaller holding and drafting paddocks.

The gravity irrigation services approximately 30 lateral move sprinklers with the potential for extensive expansion to both water storage and irrigation potential. The current water license is 87 megalitre of both dam storage and direct off-take. There has also been assessments completed for the increased potential for water storage by a minimum of a further 50 megalitres.

The property also has an established 11.62 hectare Eucalypt plantation on a lease arrangement with F.E.A. with a scheduled annual contract lease return of $3388.70 to the vendor (note legal advice may be required regarding lease status). The property also has strategic timber stands left as shelter for the livestock.

The fencing on the property is a combination of traditional farm fencing and electric stock fencing, including areas of riverfront land-care joint projects. With established, well gravelled laneways, strategically placed already servicing the farming areas; the further potential for water utilisation; as well as the pasture renovation and fertiliser regimes this property would also suit a dairy conversion, particularly with such a valuable run off block, land holding also available.

The main residence is a comfortable 4 bedroom weatherboard clad home, and is currently being rennovated by the vendor which is why photos have been limited. With utility sheds and outbuildings including a traditional style log construction stable complex. With several hundred metres of river frontage direct on to the Dasher River this is not just a working farm, this is also a property with wonderful lifestyle values. This property provides winter shelter and open grazing; and is also, with its consistent rainfall, numerous springs and permanent creeks a valuable resource when many other areas and properties suffer in drier seasons.

Property Code: 473