Location: The property is located approximately 5km Northeast of the Brandon township and approx 10km north of Ayr. Ayr is located in the centre of the rich Burdekin Delta irrigation district.
Area / Tenure: 125.96 Ha or 311.12 acres approx Freehold
Water & Irrigation: Overall, the property is 78.9 ha or approximately 194 acres under irrigated farming. There is currently 20 Ha under fallow, which has been recently ploughed and laser levelled. The balance of the property are grazing paddocks. The farming is divided into 3 hay blocks each with several laser levelled bays suitable for Flood irrigation. Water supply for irrigation is pumped from two bores and a spear, which are not metered or monitored, however there is an annual water levy charge from Lower Burdekin Water dependant on usage. Domestic water supply is supplied by an additional domestic bore and rainwater tank.
Pumps & Bore: The farm has two main pumps and spear for irrigation which have been installed since 2021. The two pumps combined capacity delivers average flow of approximately 75 Litres per second (270,000L/hr or 60,000 gallons/hr).
Flood irrigation: Water is delivered via a 12-inch poly mainline with 14 x 10-inch risers to a 10-inch geared outlet with T-piece on top to attach 12 inch lay-flat fluming onto either direction using scissor clamps to direct water left or right. Bay lengths vary with the longest being 1.1km long, averaging 600 in length.
Using the Border Check laser leveling system the irrigation bays are laser levelled to ensure optimum water flow rates and even water infiltration rates throughout the length of the bay. The use of plastic fluming, laser levelled paddocks and low-pressure pumping all ensure the water is delivered economically and efficiently to the paddocks.
Country, Soil, Fertiliser, Hay Varieties & Yields: Becker Road Hay & Cattle is located adjacent naturally occurring wetlands. The trees consist of Pandanus, Tea Tree's and native palm trees. The grasses include Hymenachne, Para grass and Rhodes grass. The soils on the property are mostly deep black soils plus some small sections of sandier loam type soils.
Hay Yields: The current Rhodes Grass varieties on the farm are Mariner, Fine cut and Katambora. These varieties are specifically bred for best hay yields and crop longevity. Fertiliser usage is conservatively managed to ensure optimum crop growth and minimum wastage. Soil samples indicate straight Urea (Nitrogen) to be used. Applications of 250kg/ha per crop of hay for maximum production. Harvesting occurs in 6-week intervals depending on paddock access (i.e. wet) and the operators production requirements. Yields have been as high as 10 tonne / ha however the owners estimate an achievable yield would be a minimum of 6.5t/ha. Average crop yields for 2020-2024 have been 4.5 tonne/ha. However, the higher crop performance was not required for two of these years which has brought down the production yield averages (good seasons on the other grazing property).Presently the hay produced is used by the owners for cattle, on their other grazing property at Richmond, Qld.
Cattle Production: In total there are four cattle paddocks, which total approximately 46 Hectares or 113 acres. This land is currently used for growing and fattening dry cattle for slaughter and live export markets. Livestock water is supplied by naturally occurring pondage and from smaller domestic bores feeding stock water troughs.
Tanks & Stock Troughs:There is a total of 5 stock water toughs including one inside the yards.
There are three poly tanks for stock and domestic water use.
Infrastructure: House: The property has a nice large, very comfortable 3 Bedroom house up on stumps. It is clad on the outside with Colourbond custom-orb.The layout features open plan living area with adjoining lounge room, dining room and kitchen. The bathroom, toilet and laundry has been recently renovated and is quite nice and modern.
Sheds: The property has two primary sheds. The large Hay Shed close to the road is approximately 12 metres wide x 36 metres long x 7 metres high. This shed is used for hay storage and machinery parking.
The Machinery Shed opposite the house is approximately 12.5 metres wide x 32 metres long x 3.7 metres high and is used for workshop and machinery needs.
Cattle Yards: Opposite the house is a nice large permanent set of steel cattle yards.
Caretaker Shed: There is a nice new 8 metre x 6 metre caretakers shed which has water and electricity connected. It has a concrete floor, shower, toilet and washing machine.
Plant & Machinery: Becker Road Hay & Cattle is being sold with a Buggy, Tractor and a Slasher.
Markets: Hay demand is substantial-Likely hay markets could include cattle yard facilities such as Townsville Meatworks, Julago rail & live export yards, Dingo Park Feedlot, Runway Feedlot & Live export yards, Charters Towers Saleyards and export yards. Additional markets might include the racehorse and performance horse markets and cattle grazing operations which span not only locally but as far as Central, Northwestern Qld and the Northern Territory.
Vendor's remarks: With the assistance of a caretaker, we run this property at an arm's length and are mostly only present for cattle work, harvesting, watering and fertilising. It's a very easy place to manage and a profitable low-cost operation.
DISCLAIMER: The above report on Becker Road Hay & Cattle has been prepared by Slaney & Co based on information supplied by the property owner and other credible sources. Every endeavour has been made to verify its accuracy. Whilst we trust the information to be correct, we make no warranties or guarantees and prospective purchasers must rely on their own enquiries & research. © Slaney & Co
