Land and milk quota in south Cork

THE Sisters of Mercy are not departed — or gone.

But the south Cork branch of the order are about to dispose of some of their land bank, including this pasture and tillage farm at Ballindeasig, Nohoval, Co Cork.

Flanking the sisters’ Tabor Lodge facility, a well-known rehabilitation centre, the 115-acre farm is laid out in two blocks surrounding the residential care centre.

The preliminary sale notice went up over a month ago, and now, John Hodnett of Hodnett Forde is officially selling their holding along with 47,471 gallons of quota. He will sell in lots or in the entire.

The land is in a great tillage and grazing region, with the sea close by, making it ideal for early crops and early grass. Soil quality is perfect for cereals, and the largely frost-free environment ensures higher yields.

This is well known to local farmers who are probably going to be first in the fray for the private treaty sale.

The Ballindeasig, Nohoval, lands are very close to Minane Bridge (which has another big sale this week) and to Carrigaline town, while the sea is a couple of fields away. Laid out in two natural divisions, the first lot, Lot X, comprises 34.42 acres with 14,218 gallons of milk quota, and Lot Y has 80.5 acres and 33,253 gallons of quota.

Most of the land is under pasture, with part in stubble, and the low lying farmland is well fenced, with little waste, says Hodnett.

“It’s an outstanding farm with road frontage on two sides, and it can be sold in one or two lots or in the entire. It’s laid out in large fields and is under pasture and tillage in a renowned agricultural region.

“And it can work as a stand-alone holding or as an addition to an existing enterprise. It comes with a Dairygold quota, and we’re seeking a figure of €12,000 per acre, which is what land of this quality would easily make at the moment.”

* The Sisters of Mercy are also selling 25 acres near their former convent in Kinsale town, part of which is inside the town’s boundary, and which will be placed on the market after maps are prepared.