Two neighbouring properties, "Myola" and "Karibu", near Narromine, will be the subject of a double-barreled auction on September 15.
"Myola" covers 720 hectares and "Karibu" 602ha, and both are set up for cropping.
Both are owned by Phillip and Ruth Simmons who have run the farms in partnership with Phillip's parents, Trevor and Narelle.
However, the properties, situated about 40 kilometres south-west of Narromine, will be sold as separate entities.
Phillip said his plan was to move further west in search of broadacre cropping land. “I need to get bigger,” he said.
Internal fencing was also removed to make the conversion to cropping easier, but in preparation for the sale they have fixed the boundary fences between the properties.
The couple moved to the properties from Wellington nine years ago, buying "Myola" first and "Karibu" about three months later, and set about converting the mixed farming properties to straight cropping.
Both feature open level country with self-mulching grey soil. “Karibu” has been cleared of timber except for shelter belts and shade trees around dams, while “Myola” is predominantly Belar, Wilga, Myall and Box country.
Average rainfall for each is about 525 millimetres.
Phillip, a fourth generation farmer, has adopted no-till farming practices, combined with a controlled traffic farming system.
“When we first got here we cut the fencing to get gear between the properties”, he said.
Internal fencing was also removed to make the conversion to cropping easier, but in preparation for the sale they have fixed the boundary fences between the properties.
They have grown wheat, canola, chickpeas, and faba beans on the farms.
“Myola” has five dams and “Karibu” has six, and each has stock and domestic bores.
Each also has its own homestead.
“Myola” has a three bedroom house with two living areas, open fire place and country style kitchen and has a well established garden featuring mature trees and an above ground pool.
The homestead on “Karibu” is a spacious six bedroom home with large open living areas, a large galley style kitchen, and the master bedroom has an ensuite with sunken corner spa bath.
Structural improvements on ”Karibu” include a large four bay cement floored machinery shed with workshop with power connected. It also has a second lock-up garage/workshop, three silos and self-contained workman’s accommodation.
“Myola” features machinery sheds, workshops and garages, a three-stand shearing shed and yards and a set of steel cattle yards. Both properties have mobile phone reception, access to wireless internet and receive three mail deliveries a week
A school bus passes nearby and Countrylink operates a daily return bus service from Narromine to Dubbo to connect with the XPT rail service to Sydney.
Air travel is available out of Dubbo where Qantas and Rex operate several daily flights to Sydney.
Monthly store sheep sales are held at Narromine, and Dubbo has weekly sheep and cattle sales. Grain deliveries can be made to silos at Narromine, operated by Graincorp, Agrigrain and AWB.
The auctions will be run by agents Hartin Schute Bell at the Narromine United Service Club, 11am on September 15.