Five formal offers have been tabled for the lease of a 700ac farm in Laragan, Co Roscommon.

All the applicants are from the Republic of Ireland and agent Mike Brady told the Irish Farmers Journal that all five applicants are landowners in their own right with existing dairy farms of varying scales. A price tag of €225/ac annual rent had been touted, to include all land, buildings and the house.

Owner Marcus Hanly is expected to sign a deal in September. However, with planning permission required for a new milking parlour, Hanly will operate his B&B cattle business as usual this winter.