Midlands farm primed for the dairy revolution

THERE are a number of former dairy farms coming on the market. Some of these are farms that may have been closed by the quota regime but are now re-opening for business thanks to the revolution in the milk market and expansion in the diary industry.

Among them is a 75ac residential dairy farm at Balgarrett, Rathconrath in Co Westmeath which is to be sold by public auction. The place would make a fine anchor farm for a new entrant to the dairy business or could form a substantial outfarm for an existing operation. The sale is guided by Murtagh Bros, Mullingar at €700,000.

Located in rolling countryside 15km west of Mullingar, the farm is close to the Longford/ Westmeath border and made up of top class, elevated, dry land. The holding has generous road frontage on one side and access to a long paved lane on one perimeter. The land is laid out in one large field serviced by a hardcore central roadway that goes through the middle of the property making for ease of access and strip grazing. During my visit the 75ac was covered in a great blanket of fresh grass. The place has not been actively farmed since the owner passed away but silage has been harvested in recent years.

The sheds include a fully fitted milking parlour with a six-unit machine, a dairy, feeders and a collecting yard. The outbuildings are set on a concrete apron that includes a walled silage pit and a dungstead. A more modern A-roofed shed is home to a three column slatted unit with a feeding passage and plenty of wintering space. The residence is a 1950s-style bungalow in need of refurbishment. There are entitlements with the property and their status will be clarified on the day of auction.

Auctioneer Dillon Murtagh describes this as a valuable dairy property with plenty of potential. It will be sold at auction at the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar at 3pm on Thursday, June 21.