Blue ribbon cropping available

“Aminya”, a 411-hectare (1016 acres) cropping property predominantly of self-mulching black soil, is described by the vendor, Noel Swain, as a true “blue-ribbon” farm.

Mr Swain said the property was in outstanding condition, having been fertilised regularly.

“It is a great, well-drained farm ideal for growing cotton; everything about it is spot on,” he said.

“It’s also a real cash cow with very good income potential and nothing to spend on it.”

Noel and Kerry Swain have owned the property for about 20 years.

Originally they had purchased “Aminya” in conjunction with Mr Swain’s three brothers.

Eventually, with the purchase of other land, the farming partnership was split and and Noel and Kerry took full ownership of the property in 2005.

Mr Swain said the sale had been prompted by the desire to focus on livestock operations; the Swains own other grazing country in the the area and they may consider purchasing further livestock country following the sale of this property, with a final decision yet to be made.

Mr Swain said typically the property was allocated two thirds to summer crops – usually cotton and corn, or just cotton – and the remaining third to a Durum wheat winter crop.

As of this week, the cotton crop on “Aminya” is close to being picked.

“It looks like cotton yields will be good this season,” Mr Swain said.

He said the property had also served as a great asset for both himself and his brothers to help purchase other land.

Mr Swain said an exceptional element to the property was its water harvesting capabilities as achieved through a 650-megalitre water storage dam.

That dam, as well as much of the property’s infrastructure, had been added to the property by the previous owner, Wayne Foster.

Improvements have continued throughout the Swain’s ownership, with the establishment of further flood irrigation and the addition of a lateral move irrigator for water efficiency purposes.

In addition they’ve added an extra irrigation bore (the property has a total of five) and have erected sheds and silos.

Boundary fencing is as-new, having been added in the past two to three years.

The property’s main water supply is sourced from a 608ML underground aquifer water licence.

Average annual rainfall is 600 millimetres.

Soil types are predominantly self mulching black soils, as well as some red basalt, with land laser levelled and gently sloping.

All up, the property has 10 irrigation fields, nine of which have been developed for flood irrigation.

Flood irrigation comprises 288ha (712ac).

The tenth field, covering 56ha (138ac), has the lateral move irrigator.

The four bedroom weatherboard homestead has a tile roof and was constructed about 50 years ago but extended about 25 years later, and comes with wood heating, air conditioning and a carport for two cars.

The property is 23 kilometres east of Gunnedah and 4km east of Carroll.

“Aminya” heads to auction on May 22 through Ian McArthur, Elders Gunnedah, who described the property as very well improved and in a good location.

Contact Ian McArthur, 0429 431 519.