Location:

The property is located approximately 5km Northeast of the Brandon township and approximately 10km north of Ayr.

The nearest major town is Ayr, which has population of approximately 8600 people. Ayr is located in the centre of the rich Burdekin Delta irrigation district. This district is regarded as the premier sugarcane growing area in Australia and supports the strong local communities in Home Hill, Inkerman, Brandon and Giru townships.

Townsville, the largest city in North Queensland is but a 1hr drive north. Townsville’s fast-developing industries, the Port of Townsville, Sugar terminal, JBS Meatworks, Live Export facilities, renewable energy hub, and various new developments support a growing population of 200,000 + people. 

Area / Tenure:

Total – 125.96 Ha or 311.12 acres approx.   Freehold

Water Bores & Irrigation: 

Overall, the property is 78.9 ha or approximately 194 acres under irrigated farming. The balance of the property are grazing paddocks. There is currently 20 Ha under fallow, which has been recently ploughed and laser levelled.

The farming land is divided into 3 hay blocks each with several laser levelled bays suitable for Flood irrigation.

Water supply for irrigation is pumped from three bores, which are not metered or monitored, however there is an annual water levy charge from Lower Burdekin Water dependant on usage. There is no bore drilling logs available for the large irrigation bores, however based on a recent drilled, smaller domestic bore, it is estimated that the standing water level (SWL) is at around 3.20 metres and the hole depths at approximately 18-19 metres. All three of these irrigation bores are 6-inch PVC casing. Domestic water supply is supplied by two additional domestic bores and rainwater tank.

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.

Additional Water Potential:

An allocation has been granted to the property to take water from Sheep Station Creek. Theoretically water may be accessed, however a pipeline access agreement is required through the neighbouring property before this becomes a reality (currently access is not yet secured).

The granted water allocation is 770 Megalitres (ML).   

Pumps:

The farm has two main pumps for the irrigation which have been installed since 2021.

Pump details

• 4-inch suction line x 5-inch delivery line powered by a Davey electric centrifugal 7.5kw pump.
• 4-inch suction line x 5-inch delivery line powered by a Grundfos 7.5kw pump

The two pumps combined capacity delivers average flow of approximately 75 Litres per second (270,000L/hr or 60,000 gallons/hr).

Considerable expense has been undertaken in recent years, to extend, replace and maintain the mains water supply lines. 

Country Type, 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.

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 Hughenden, 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 

Potential Cell Grazing opportunity: Refer to Agent.

Infrastructure: 

House: 

The property has a nice, very comfortable 3 Bedroom house up on stumps. The house is cladded on the outside with Colourbond custom-orb. It has nice timber look vinyl flooring, good lighting, fans and air conditioning throughout. The layout features open plan living area with two adjoining lounge rooms, a dining room and a nice modern kitchen. The three bedrooms are all located off the living area. The bathroom, toilet and laundry are also all quite nice and modern.

• 3 Bedrooms
• Fully airconditioned throughout.
• Large Modern Kitchen
• Bathroom, Toilet & Laundry
• Very large Kitchen, Lounge and Room Dining areas
• Storeroom & Mud room 

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 shed is made of large RHS beams and posts, steel purlins and trim deck iron sheeting and is enclosed on three sides. The shed floor is not concreted. It fits approximately 900 Large 8ft x 4ft x 3ft high density square bails. The hay shed has electricity and water connected. It features a number of large flood lights and a dust suppression sprinkler watering system on the entry way into the shed.

The Machinery Shed opposite the house is approximately 12.5 metres wide x 32 metres long x 3.7 metres high and is constructed of steel RHS frames, steel purlins and trim deck iron sheeting. It has one concreted bay and three dirt floor bays and is enclosed on three sides. Installed on the northern end are two 20ft containers used for storage which will be sold with the property. This shed is used for workshop and machinery needs. 

Cattle Yards: 

Opposite the house is a nice large permanent set of steel cattle yards. Made of cattle rail and railway iron posts. They feature a long processing race, a cattle crush, loading ramp, 3-way draft and branding cradle. Out the from the back of the yards is a yard up pen, cooler pen and 2 feed yards with poly belt feed troughs for the supplementary feeding of cattle. 

Caretaker Shed:

In addition to the house the owners have recently built steel 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. Fixtures such as pumps and motors pertaining to irrigation will also be included. 

Services: 

There is a weekly garbage bin collection service by the Burdekin Shire Council. 

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.

Agent’s remarks: 

Becker Road Hay & Cattle offers an opportunity to have dual income streams from both cattle and hay production. The overall setup is well considered and constructed thereby offering the new owner minimal expense and a very functional business. This property would be well suited to graziers and existing hay producers offering cost effective cattle fattening options, hay for stock or an additional hay production business. 

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