Today I have been offered about 60 acres of ground to rent.
The pertinent facts:
- Approx 5 miles from main farm, no buildings.
- "Rental" period will be annual recurring for all of it, but there is a development option on about 20 acres that will mean that could go within a couple of years if not sooner. Currently no planning is in place but it is likely as infill and I know two developers are trying to reach a deal.
- Currently all ground is down to grass, all less than 5 years down as grass and arable cropped in the past. Exciting HLS scheme this October.
- All ground is classified as Organic and managed as such within Soil Association rules. (Grazing of non organic stock for 4 months a year is allowed)
- Soil type is grade 1, light red Devon soils, all pretty much level and well drained.
- Boundary fences are all good that I have seen so far, stock wire with 1 or 2 strand barb on top. Loads of elm trees in hedges that have keeled over and will need clearing as they will pull the fences down if not.
- All fields OK direct access from road
- Mains water in some but not all fields but reasonably easy to run extra pipes if needed
- Loads of rabbits, and I mean 1000's. One boundary is railway embankment and it is hooching in the bloody things.
- As a result of above and the fact it is next to houses there are foxes everywhere as well, saw 4 just walking it around this afternoon.
- Approx 16 acres was sown to barley last year and not combined, (rabbits had the lot), undersown with clover and rye grass, now over knee high but lots of thatch in the base but good clover percentage.
- Rest has been grass for some time, all but 8 acres is in decent shape and being light soil would hold store lambs over winter no bother.
Have discussed a few things with current owner and Organic status might be removed as development is on the cards for some of it.
So, given that it might be organic, should grow some decent grass but I'm not willing to reseed as it could be short term. Not directly next door and needs some work so how much is it worth? (Bear in mind Ive been invited to farm it and it wont come on the open market I suspect)
I am minded to say:
1 For the 16 acres not cropped last year, first year rent of zero, I sort it out to get it back in hand and graze it and take a cut of hay next year.
2 Rest of ground, minimal rent this year but I will clear all the trees fallen over the fences, make good and clean up the pastures by topping thistles and nettles. (No sign of ragwort anywhere by the way)
3 There is 8 acres (one field) that is the lowest lying and not been touched much, full of crap grass (Yorkshire Fog) and rushes. Would not take it so leave out of the equation or undertake to maintain it but zero rent.
4 Happy to go with a grazing license with option to cut/mow for hay/haylage, uplift if he and the rules would allow to go back to arable where possible.
But what level of rent for second year??
Interested to hear the collectives view point.....
The pertinent facts:
- Approx 5 miles from main farm, no buildings.
- "Rental" period will be annual recurring for all of it, but there is a development option on about 20 acres that will mean that could go within a couple of years if not sooner. Currently no planning is in place but it is likely as infill and I know two developers are trying to reach a deal.
- Currently all ground is down to grass, all less than 5 years down as grass and arable cropped in the past. Exciting HLS scheme this October.
- All ground is classified as Organic and managed as such within Soil Association rules. (Grazing of non organic stock for 4 months a year is allowed)
- Soil type is grade 1, light red Devon soils, all pretty much level and well drained.
- Boundary fences are all good that I have seen so far, stock wire with 1 or 2 strand barb on top. Loads of elm trees in hedges that have keeled over and will need clearing as they will pull the fences down if not.
- All fields OK direct access from road
- Mains water in some but not all fields but reasonably easy to run extra pipes if needed
- Loads of rabbits, and I mean 1000's. One boundary is railway embankment and it is hooching in the bloody things.
- As a result of above and the fact it is next to houses there are foxes everywhere as well, saw 4 just walking it around this afternoon.
- Approx 16 acres was sown to barley last year and not combined, (rabbits had the lot), undersown with clover and rye grass, now over knee high but lots of thatch in the base but good clover percentage.
- Rest has been grass for some time, all but 8 acres is in decent shape and being light soil would hold store lambs over winter no bother.
Have discussed a few things with current owner and Organic status might be removed as development is on the cards for some of it.
So, given that it might be organic, should grow some decent grass but I'm not willing to reseed as it could be short term. Not directly next door and needs some work so how much is it worth? (Bear in mind Ive been invited to farm it and it wont come on the open market I suspect)
I am minded to say:
1 For the 16 acres not cropped last year, first year rent of zero, I sort it out to get it back in hand and graze it and take a cut of hay next year.
2 Rest of ground, minimal rent this year but I will clear all the trees fallen over the fences, make good and clean up the pastures by topping thistles and nettles. (No sign of ragwort anywhere by the way)
3 There is 8 acres (one field) that is the lowest lying and not been touched much, full of crap grass (Yorkshire Fog) and rushes. Would not take it so leave out of the equation or undertake to maintain it but zero rent.
4 Happy to go with a grazing license with option to cut/mow for hay/haylage, uplift if he and the rules would allow to go back to arable where possible.
But what level of rent for second year??
Interested to hear the collectives view point.....