A top-class dairy operation in the midlands has become available to let in the last number of weeks. Located in Ballinakill, Moate, Co Westmeath, the farm is 162 acres in total and is a fully operational dairy enterprise with a number of quality facilities accompanying.

The farm

‘Turnkey’ is the buzzword here. Fully functioning, the farm is ready to use. The good-quality paddocks are well laid out, with a well-developed paddock fencing system. A low-lying farm, it is supplied by piped water from a well. Currently all laid out in grass, it is accessed by excellent farm roadways and a farm underpass.

There is also a comprehensive farmyard area that has the ability of facilitating almost 220 cattle. The buildings include six sheds, with a total of 217 cow and heifer cubicles. It contains a 16-unit Gascoigne milking parlour with new automatic cluster removers, as well as a computerised field-to-yield feed system. There is also an open-walled silage pit, calf houses and general purpose houses. The farm is currently milking 140 cows.

Enquiries from New Zealand and Qatar

Offering this farm to the market is Mike Brady of the Brady Group. When speaking with Brady, one thing that became apparent was the number of strong enquiries he has received. The level of interest has been local, national and international, with some enquiries coming from as far away as New Zealand and Qatar. These enquiries are also a mix of new entrants and farmers interested in managing secondary operations.

The offering

The guide on the farm is €275/ac, or €44,500/annum. The lease is over a term of 10 years, running from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2029. The lease cost and BPS entitlements will be reviewed on 1 April 2024. The payment will be monthly on the 20th of each month by standing order, Brady confirmed. The lessor has 87.46 entitlements, worth approximately €242.86 each (including greening), which amounts to €21,241/annum. It is proposed to lease approximately 65 entitlements with the farm.

According to Brady, the quality of the tenant is as important as the price achieved. The farm is being leased by a retiring family.