Local and overseas interest in family farm
The talk in dairying circles in the south, the sale of this Orchardstown, Waterford farm has drawn interest from home and abroad.
And why wouldn’t it? A model farm, the superb layout is the major point of discussion in dairy circles and has been spoken of with awe. Not surprisingly, over 14 of the 20 viewers who’ve walked the farm so far have been from Co Cork — and many of those would be in a position to purchase.
And that’s another point: the Hayes’ family farm started at a guide price of €2.5m, but within two weeks was at €3m — at the time of going to press it’s still at that offer, (from a midlands buyer), but could move along further.
Auctioneer Michael Guiry however, will take his time, saying the family wish to remain in situ until February.
And that begs the question, why sell? Well, that’s the situation. Guiry says the Hayes family has other irons in the fire and may feel they’ve taken the farm as far as they can and are scaling down the dairying end of the business.
In fact, the 142-acre operation is being run by a farm manager and the operation is managed in less than 40 hours a week, according to the awed dairy farmers who looked over Orchardstown recently.
Intuitively-designed and superbly run and managed, the farm is being sold lock, stock, (pedigree Holstein herd) and barrel. A year round milk supplier, the farm has won many awards over the years and is highly profitable.
According to Michael Guiry, the farm is attractive from every standpoint:
“It’s every farmer’s dream — everything’s in order, it’s unbelievable and it’s one place you’d love to show.
“There’s been an awful lot of work done here and now the vendors are going to retire and are looking for a change of lifestyle.
And with the volume and intensity of interest, will they bring the farm to a fast conclusion, or private auction?
“We’re leaving it open for the moment. It’s all happened a bit fast — even too fast for the sellers — but we’ve had great feedback.”
And at €3m now, the farm could make a good bit more in the heel of the hunt — it’s not only a smooth operation, but a very healthy business too.
“There are three years’ sets of accounts with this farm and it’s a very attractive business — the figures don’t lie. And it’s a one-man operation at 40 hours a week.”
The farm comes with a modern residence, a traditional farmhouse, derelict farmhouse and 127 acres of land is one large block.
The remaining 15 acres is under maize and the sale includes a healthy, 152,617 gallons of quota and a SFP of €25,000 per annum.
Located a 10-minute drive from Waterford city, and with a liquid milk supply, this property will be one of the most talked-of sales since that of Caherduggan Demesne, which sold twice in one year.
