FOUR and a half years is not a long time, but it has been time well spent on "Shannandore" for owners Steve and Judy Radford.
The couple have extensively improved the property since their purchase, establishing two new enterprises and renovating the house in that time as well.
They had come from the Newcastle area, and in 2010 sought a property in the Scone area.
They found "Shannandore", a 588ha (1454ac) property about 40 kilometres to the west of Scone and a property they thought would be ideal for their plans to run a lucerne operation.
Mrs Radford said right from the outset, the property's water features made a good first impression, as did the soil types.
They comprise alluvial irrigation flats, through to rich black and red basalts.
She said they saw the potential of the property to be transformed into a productive lucerne enterprise - at the time it had just been operated as a grazing block.
After the purchase, they installed a T and L pivot irrigator on the property, which enabled them to have about 28ha (70ac) under irrigation.
"We have also cleared another 70 acres (28ha) and used that for winter cropping."
The property has a 345 megalitre irrigation licence.
In addition to the lucerne, the couple also established the Shannandore Angus stud, however their plans for the stud - and the property - have been altered due to health reasons, hence the upcoming sale.
It is listed for a March 14 auction with John Collier and Graham Evans, of Collier Property Sales, Tamworth.
"Shannandore" is 40 kilometres west of Scone.
The property has been running about 230 stud animals, as well as 62 commercial Angus cows with calves.
Improvements to the property have included a new set of steel cattle yards, while the homestead itself has been renovated.
The weatherboard house with iron roof consists of three bedrooms and open plan living area.
"It is a beautiful property and we are very sad to be selling it," Mrs Radford said.
n Contact John Collier, 0428 667 796; Graham Evans, 0419 433 505.