Strong sale expected for 21.5 acres of organic,flat limestone land

By Conor Power

Just how much of a premium organic land can achieve in the current marketplace is a question that may be answered, partially at least, by observing how well a holding of just over 20 acres near Cashel will sell over the coming weeks.

The 21.5-acre non-residential property is for sale with Cashel Marts.

This land is certified organic and has been organically farmed for a number of years.

It’s located in the townland of Dualla, approximately 5km from Cashel itself, and just 3km from the M8 Dublin-Cork motorway.

“It’s a good solid piece of ground, all in one block with great road frontage,” says Alison De Vere Hunt of agents Cashel Marts.

“There’s water in a couple of different places, it’s well drained, and it’s good flat limestone land around there, right on the edge of Dualla.”

So it’s in the top quality land category with a convenient size that will appeal to a wide range of bidders.

These will include the usual suspects of expanding dairy, beef or tillage farmers, equestrian operators, hobby farmers and non-farming investors.

On top of that is the added organic farming angle.

There is no doubt that it’s a growing sub-sector in an era increasingly dominated by over-arching global-sized food companies and huge downward pressure on the price of produce.

How much of an influence this will have on the price of this property remains to be seen.

Alison doesn’t believe that the organic angle will have much impact on the price, although it’s an added attraction: “I don’t know if it will add extra value to it because we don’t have a huge amount of organic farmers around here.

“It’s still top quality, even though it’s not getting any commercial fertilisers.”

She believes that it will be a much sought-after piece of ground, and has accordingly put a price guide of between €260,000 and €300,000 on it (or between €12,400 and €14,300 per acre), with a closing date for bids at 5pm on Friday, April 20.

The property is well known in the area, according to the selling agents.

The field is located next door to the field where the well-known Dualla agricultural show is held every year.

For a long-term investor, the property for sale may present development possibilities in time, according to the agent.

It is, the agents say, an excellent parcel of land in an excellent location, laid out in one large field and all set in grass. The land is well drained and fenced and has a water supply.