This diversified farm, located near Bothaville in the Free State, offers excellent agricultural and income potential and is sold as a going, income-generating concern. The farm operates entirely on solar power and is 100% independent from Eskom (no Eskom account). The property offers, among others, the following:
Livestock, game, implements, equipment and centre pivots included in the sale
±1 km river frontage on the Vaal River
Registered water rights: 22 ha, with established irrigation lands
Established planted pastures
10 ha pecan nut orchard
Good natural grazing
Small cattle feedlot
Sheep feedlot
Game camp
Good infrastructure, including a luxury residence
LOCATION
The farm is situated approximately 36 km northwest of Bothaville in the Free State.
IRRIGATION AND WATER
The farm has 22 ha of registered water rights per year from the Vaal River.
Submersible pumps are used for irrigation, meaning the pumps do not need to be removed from the river during floods.
There are four centre pivots: two of 5 ha and two of 1 ha (Senter 360 and Aquarian pivots), with a capacity of approximately 100 m³ per hour, operating for about 10 hours per day under full sunshine.
A main pipeline runs from the river to the pecan nut orchard. A 40 kW as well as a 7.5 kW pump supply water to the orchard and lands. The pecan orchard is irrigated via micro-sprinklers.
There are also boreholes with solar pumps supplying water to six grazing camps.
The average annual rainfall in the area is approximately 600 mm, but over the past six years an average of 800 mm per year has been recorded.
There are approximately six earth dams on the farm.
PECAN NUT ORCHARD – 10 ha
The orchard currently consists of approximately 1,000 trees:
500 trees (approximately seven years old) are already fruit bearing
500 trees (approximately five years old), of which 287 had to be re-inoculated due to a fire, are expected to start bearing within the next 2–3 years
First harvest records were not recorded.
Tree varieties include Choctaw and Wichita, with Barton, Pawnee and Navaho as pollinators.
There is ample opportunity to expand the orchard.
The orchard has 28 water lines, each servicing 40 trees, irrigated at approximately 100 m³ per hour.
GRAZING
The farm currently carries approximately 200 cows with calves on grazing consisting of:
12 ha planted rye grass mixtures under center-pivot irrigation
±185 ha natural grazing
The natural grazing is of good quality, with a high occurrence of red grass and smuts finger grass. It is divided into six grazing camps, all equipped with water.
Good grazing management is practiced, with at least one camp rested per year to allow seed set and improve quality and basal cover.
Strip grazing is practiced on the pivot lands; 5 ha can comfortably carry 50 cows.
Alternatively, strip grazing with approximately 1,000 sheep can also be done on the pivot pastures.
The pivot lands are currently established with a ryegrass and lucerne mixture.
All camp fencing is in good condition.
GAME CAMP
A 33 ha game camp with game-proof fencing, where species such as springbok and impala are kept.
ELECTRICITY
The property is completely off-grid in terms of Eskom and makes use of a solar power system.
There is a 27 kVA, 3-phase solar system supplying electricity to the buildings and workshop, and a 38 kW system for irrigation, with approximately 419 m² of solar panels and sufficient battery capacity.
A 40 kW, 3-phase standby generator is available should the solar system be unable to meet demand due to weather conditions.
Note: There is an Eskom connection point on the farm, but it is currently not activated.
FEEDLOTS
The farm includes:
A cattle feedlot with capacity for 80 cattle, including a feed store, crush and scale
An additional sheep feedlot with multiple camps where up to 3,000 sheep can be fed and handled
There are two 16-ton pellet feeders.
If only cattle finishing (back-grounding) under the pivots is desired, this is also possible, as there are other operational feedlots in the area.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The main residence is a double-storey thatched house with a swimming pool, outbuildings and a shade-net carport for two vehicles. The house was built in 2012 and offers an exceptional view over the Vaal River. The residence is enclosed with an electrified fence.
There is Wi-Fi coverage across the farm and several CCTV cameras strategically placed to facilitate management and supervision.
Further infrastructure includes:
A second house for a farm manager
A granny flat near this house
(Both can be used as guest accommodation during NAMPO)
±420 m² sheds for storage of tractors and implements
Additional infrastructure where workers can stay
GOING CONCERN
A full inventory of movable assets, including tractors, implements and livestock included in the sale, is available on request. (Serious buyers only)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The farm consists of two adjoining title deeds sold as a single unit
An island of approximately 5 ha in the river is available for grazing (previously used for Boer goats)
No land claims on the property
The nearest informal settlement is approximately 40 km from the farm
Main access routes are equipped with CCTV and monitored by the community
Suspicious vehicles and movements are actively shared on local communication groups
An additional ±7 ha title deed can be included in the purchase at a market-related price
Selling Price:
R15,600,000 (VAT excluded)