Dairy and arable farm in central Scotland

Dairy farmers looking to move up to a bigger unit could be tempted by an unusual dairy and arable offering in central Scotland.

Waterside Farm, near Dunblane, Stirling, extends to just over 280 acres and supports 120 milkers. However, an additional 103 acres that used to belong to the farm has come up for sale at the same time, offering would-be purchasers the chance to put the unit back together within a ring fence and expand the herd to 200 cows.

“Waterside’s current owner is looking for a change of lifestyle, and the farmer that owns the adjacent land lives several miles away and has decided to sell at the same time,” said Michaela Dixon of H&H Bowe.

“This provides an opportunity to create a sizeable dairy enterprise and to grow other crops as well. The whole farm is in good order and the purchaser could continue milking cows straight away.”

The south-facing land at Waterside Farm is mainly grade 3 and 4 and suitable for crop production, grazing and cutting. It includes 38 acres of pasture. Current crops include wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape; potatoes have been grown in the past.

The whole farm has had a GPS survey allowing targeted applications of fertiliser and lime. A network of small woods, ponds and hedgerows has been created over the past 10 years.

The sale also includes a traditional stone four-bedroom farmhouse and an extensive range of farm buildings. In addition to the existing farmhouse there is also permission for another dwelling.

Buildings including a 48m x 18m dairy complex, a cubicle shed with 106 cubicles, a calving pen and a slurry lagoon with approximately 120 days storage.

Milk is currently supplied to Graham’s Dairies at Bridge of Allan, and almost 630,000 litres of 3.946% butterfat is included in the sale.

The adjacent land is being used for silage and hay production and includes 26 acres of hardwood woodland, which receives £1,700 a year through the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme.

Waterside Farm is guided at £1.6m and the adjacent land at £350,000. (H&H Bowe 01228 406 260)