THE picturesque setting and well developed pastures and facilities are certain to make "Fernleigh", at Nowendoc an attractive proposition for would-be buyers.
At 697.5 hectares, with basalt soils and well-fertilised improved pastures, the cattle property is highly productive, carrying about 440 Angus breeders plus replacements.
Although mostly grazing country, there are also about 100 hectares of magnificent timber, including a rainforest.
Water is a strong feature. Being on the eastern fall of the Great Dividing Range, "Fernleigh" has an annual rainfall averaging just over 1250 millimetres.
All its dams and numerous creeks are spring fed as is the Cooplacurripa River which passes through it.
Considerable improvements include the stylishly renovated four bedroom homestead, established garden of ornamental trees and lawns, multiple sheds and a large stable complex.
The owners, Lynne and Dave Daly- both former teachers - bought the property along with its Angus herd in 2003 from a well-known exponent of improved pastures, Bob Young, and his son Jim.
The Youngs were also pioneers of rotational grazing , evident in the paddock and laneway structure of “Fernleigh”.
This enables Lynne and Dave to run the property on their own, using only a local contractor during busy times such as calf marking and pregnancy testing.
Fourteen years ago Dave and Lynne decided on a lifestyle change and moved from Sydney where Dave had been working in educational testing at the University of NSW and Lynne had been selling semi-rural property at Dural in the hills district of north-western Sydney.
“Working with animals was an obvious choice for me,” Lynne said.
“Over the years we had often talked about buying a property and when the time was right “Fernleigh” made the decision form us as it offered both a commercial enterprise and a wonderful lifestyle”.
The couple have added to the original bloodlines with high performance bulls from the highly regarded Glenavon, Forres, Wattletop, Elswick, Ben Nevis and Kilburnie studs.
The successful bidder will have the option of buying the Angus herd, which is European Union accredited.
Once the property is sold the couple will pursue other interests, which will include travelling.
The auction will be held on the property by Walcha-based agent Bruce Rutherford of Landmark Boultons, on May 6 at 11am.
Mr Rutherford said property in the beautiful Nowendoc area was typically held tightly.
- Contact Bruce Rutherford, 0428 660 328.
