It was the two smaller lots that generated all the bidding at the recent auction of a 204-acre non-residential farm situated at Quitchery, Ballymitty, Co Wexford. This was the biggest agricultural holding to arrive on the market in Wexford to date this year, and was used as an out-farm to a large dairy operation for a long number of years.

Before a crowd of around 14 people, selling agent John Radford from Sherry FitzGerald Radford, New Ross, put up the first lot comprising circa 27.5 acres. Although having two local bidders, this lot was withdrawn at €225,000, but has since made substantial progress. John is optimistic about concluding a sale in the short-term.

A further 22.11 acres were knocked down at €220,000 to an adjoining farmer, but the biggest portion, comprising the farmyard on circa 155 acres, failed to attract a bid. For sale now by private treaty, John is currently open to offers and is guiding in the region of €10,000/acre.

Just a five-minute drive from Wellington Bridge, the farm is currently home to bunch of dairy followers, while also nurturing a crop of silage. In addition, a further 40 acres have been sown to maize.

In the main, the land is laid out in a plethora of good-sized fields, some of which are subdivided into paddocks, while others, given their size, would make fine platforms for the harvesting of silage. All divisions are easily accessed from the extensive road network, making it ideally suited to a dairy farm operation.

The main shed in the farmyard is a five-bay apex shed with two lean-tos on either side that are fitted with cubicles. There is also a cattle crush, the remains of the former stone dwelling house and a couple of other stone outbuildings. CL