PROPERTY LOCATION:
The property is located on the banks of the Haughton River, adjacent the rich Burdekin Delta irrigation district. Just 40km along the Bruce Highway south from Townsville and 40km north of Ayr, Kelly’s Hay Farm is well positioned to grow a wide variety of crops. Formerly a Sugarcane Farm the property has been converted to Hay Farming since 2016. With roadtrain transport to the west (Flinders Highway – 3 trailers) and B-Double road trains along the Bruce Highway the farm is readily accessible.

Townsville is a vibrant coastal city of approx 200,000 people with diverse industry and opportunity for employment, business and higher education. For cattlemen the Live Export shipping ex Townsville and Townsville JBS meatworks are also major attractions for this location.

 Giru (population 700) is noted for the Invicta Sugar Mill, which is owned by Wilmar Sugar. There is a bowling club, the Giru International Hotel and a local store to pick up basic grocery items.

 AREA & TENURE: Freehold

Lot 2 on SP 307169

Total Area 85.36ha (210.83acres)

 THE HAUGHTON RIVER:             

 Whilst it doesn’t take up a large land area the water infrastructure in the Haughton catchment is of particular importance to the agricultural production systems and the supply needs of the Burdekin Shire, and Townsville City Councils. Water from the Burdekin River is transferred across to the Haughton Balancing Storage via the Haughton Main Channel where it is distributed to the Haughton River for irrigation and the Giru town water supply. It is also transferred from the Haughton Balancing Storage via pipeline to the Ross River Dam to supplement the water supply of Townsville.

Approximately 13,000 hectares of cane land is situated within the Haughton River catchment. The Burdekin region produces the highest tonnage of cane per hectare compared to an industry average of approximately 80 tonnes. The main reason is the availability of water for irrigation. All cane in the Burdekin is irrigated. The Haughton River catchment has approximately 14% of the Burdekin region’s cane farming area within its boundaries. It is also the home of the region’s largest mill, Invicta.

Orchards, tree crops, tropical fruits and other small crops form an important part of the agriculture mosaic in the area. Cattle production in the immediate Giru area is limited to a small number of properties due to the opportunity cost of flat, arable farming land.

Farming land / Agronomy: 

Soils – deep, fertile, well drained river and clay loams. 

The property is divided into 34 laser levelled bays suitable for FLOOD irrigation.

 Water usage is carefully applied and only a minor proportion of the SunWater Allocation is used.

 Fertiliser usage is conservatively managed to ensure optimum crop growth and minimum wastage. The fertiliser currently used is Entec CK 140 (25N – 3P – 19K) and is supplied in 1 tonne bags.

Hay crop – Rhodes Grasses specifically bred for best hay farming. Both ‘Mariner’ and Reclaimer’ varieties are used.

Crop yields are approx 60 bales (3’x4’) per hectare or 25 bale/acre. In a typical year the production will be approx 14000 bales (both 3’ & 4’ bales … Note that 4’ bales weigh twice a 3’ bale.) It should be noted that the farm ONLY bales hay before the crop goes to seed so as to optimise grass protein and palatability levels. Much higher yields can be obtained … at the expense of hay quality.

 River – The property has a Haughton River frontage of approx 650m which is timbered by large native trees and an understory of smaller shrubs. Due to the very flat nature of the Burdekin & Haughton delta, the cropping portion of the property is subject to flooding in extreme rainfall events.

 Horse paddocks – there are a number (6) smaller paddocks (electric fenced) currently used for grazing horses.

 Formally a Sugar Cane farm producing 5000-6000 tonnes pa.

 INFRASTRUCTURE:  

Home: Located on the NW corner of the property the 3-Bedroom block home is airconditioned throughout. The layout features open plan living with adjoining lounge, dining and kitchen and bedrooms each side of the hallway. There is a large bathroom, separate toilet, laundry, carport and a covered patio area.

 Sheds:

There are two primary sheds.

 A newer shed approximately 25m x 12m is used for Hay storage and vehicle parking. The shed is constructed with steel frame and dirt floors with the hay section enclosed on two sides and open at either end thereby facilitating easier access. The 4-bay vehicle/machinery section is open on all sides to allow drive through of vehicles.

 The old shed is also approx 25m x 12m and is constructed of steel posts and timber roof framing and is semi-enclose in sections. This shed is used for workshop and machinery needs.

 At the time of writing (December 2020) the owners had constructed an elevated pad for an additional hay shed to be built in 2021.

 Fencing & Paddocks… There are two small sections fenced for horses each with electric removable fencing.

 WATER:

Irrigation … Kelly’s Hay Farm has a water licence drawing water from the Haughton/Giru weir adjacent to the property. The pumping station is connected to 3-phase power and located on the bank of the river.

 Sunwater Announced Allocation

There is two separate Allocations totalling 660 megalitres.

• WA5073/AP14988 (150ML)
• WA169/AP14988 (510ML)

Pump: Electric K&L Centrifugal open 8” water pump with 18.5KW electric motor – pumping directly from the weir and delivers irrigation and domestic supplies via a network of inground 300mm and 400mm, poly and concrete, mains piping. Considerable expense has been undertaken, in recent years, to extend, replace and maintain the mains water supply lines.

Flood irrigation is the means by which all paddocks are irrigated. By the use of plastic fluming, cusp and laser levelled paddocks the low-pressure water is delivered cheaply and efficiently to the hay paddocks. The irrigation drills vary from approximately 400m to 900m in length.

 PLANT & MACHINERY:

Kelly’s Hay Farm is being sold inclusive of key hay farming plant and equipment. Fixtures such as pumps and motors pertaining to irrigation will be included.

Machinery list: 

1. Kubota 135hp Tractor – 2018 Model, approx 1200hrs
2. Kubota 135hp Tractor – 2015 Model, approx 2000hrs
3. Krone Round baler – 2019 Model V1502 Comprina Round Baler, variable chamber capable of both 3’ & 4’ bales.
4. Krone AMR320 disc mower – 2018 Model
5. Krone KW522 Tedder Rake – 2018 Model
6. Krone Swadro35 Rake – 2018 Model
7. Challenger Loader Hay forks
8. Rondini Fertiliser Spreader – 1 tonne capacity
9. Hudson Engineering hydraulic 1 tonne bag lifter

FISHING & WATER ACTIVITIES

For a ‘boatie’ this is paradise! The farm has direct and private access to land based freshwater fishing from both the Weir wall and the riverbank. The Haughton River & Morrissey Creek have renowned barramundi fishing and crabbing and are a very popular destination for fishermen far and wide. There is two Public Boat Ramps accessing the saltwater reaches. The mouth of Haughton River is within ½ hour boat ride from the boat ramp and is the launching pad for those heading out to fish the nearby Shoals and Great Barrier Reef.

Estuarine Crocodiles are part of this general Haughton River environment.

DISCLAIMER:  The above report on Kelly’s Hay Farm 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.

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