NEARLY 80 years of single-family ownership have passed on the Narrabri property "Riverstone", an achievement pointing to its reliability and productivity.
The Richards family has been farming on "Riverstone" since 1937 with the current owner, John Richards, himself farming the property since 1982.
Mr Richards' grandfather had initially purchased the property as a finishing block, to be run in conjunction with another property.
John Richards is selling to pursue other interests, and as such it is heading to auction on March 19 through Rob Southwell and Alec MacIntosh, Ray White Rural Narrabri.
Mr Southwell said the property had expanded in size over the years.
Today, it covers a total of 1389ha (3432ac); of that, 505ha (1249ac) is dedicated to dryland farming.
"It has obviously been a profitable operation because they have been able to increase some of the property as time has gone on," Mr Southwell said.
Mr Richards harvested his first crop of cotton in 1987, and yields have increased substantially since then.
Mr Southwell said in the past few years average yields have been about 13 bales to the hectare.
He said a key feature of this property was the economic bore irrigation.
In the early 1980s two bores were commissioned, allowing for cotton irrigation.
Mr Southwell said "Riverstone" had been recognised many times for having high yields in the Upper Namoi.
"It's an area that's a bit special, which has good access via the Kamilaroi Highway; it also has a softer climate," Mr Southwell said.
"It is a neat and tidy property and very well fenced.
"There's also potential for further development on the property.
"It would suit somebody new to the area, it is a very good self-sustaining farm and it is also a great family farm."
Improvements include a five bedroom air conditioned homestead with added features including an in-ground swimming pool and tennis court.
Infrastructure includes a set of cattle yards, silos, and a steel- framed machinery shed and workshop.
Soils consist of alluvial, self mulching types, brown chocolate clays and lighter red loams.
Irrigation comes in the form of 1067 unit shares of Zone 5 Namoi Aquifer water, and 648 unit shares of Tullamullen Creek water.
A total of four irrigation bores offer up to 20 megalitres of water a day, and the property also has 250ML of tailwater storage.
Contact Rob Southwell, 0419 269 328, or Alec MacIntosh, 0428 618 004.