WOODLANDS has been in the Wood family for 150 years. The Balmoral property, which is now run by Esma and Trevor Wood, along with their son Graeme have always run Woodlands as a mixed farm.
"We used to have a Murray Grey stud, and there have been sheep on the place," Esma said.
"We now run a Murray Grey and Angus herd of about 500 breeders and sell the weaners at the January Hamilton weaner sales each year."
- WOODLANDS
- BALMORAL, VICTORIA
- Property: mixed farm
- Size: 1058ha
- Sale: expressions of interest closing October 24
- Price: $3090 to $3215/ha
- Agent: Landmark, Horsham
- Contact: (03) 5382 0088
They also have a cropping element on the 1058ha farm.
"We have conservatively managed the property over the years," Esma said.
The mostly arable property is bordered by trees, which line the Glenelg River.
The river runs through Woodlands in a big loop, which provides stock shelter throughout.
Pastures are phalaris-based, with dominant sub-clovers.
"(The Wood family) was one of the first families in the district to introduce phalaris-based pasture," Esma said.
"It holds the soil together with the deep roots."
The soils are medium to heavy grey loams as well as some heavy grey clay soils on the river flats.
Esma said one of the standout elements about Woodlands was how sheltered the property was.
Water is also a feature, with the long frontage to the Glenelg River and access to metered water from the Rocklands-Balmoral pipeline supplying stock and domestic needs.
About 80ha has been planted to canola, and there is a smaller planting of oats.
"We grow a lot of hay for stock and aim to be self-sufficient," Esma said.
Improvements include a four-stand woolshed, a large machinery shed, workshop and three hay sheds.
There are also two sets of steel cattle yards at each end of the long property. The main yards can hold 1000 head and the second set can hold 500 head, and both yards are set up with a crush, drafting races and loading ramps.
Esma says the four-bedroom 1960s house is very comfortable.
There is ample living room, formal dining room and a lounge room with floor-to-ceiling windows that take in the views of the Grampians and the Black Ranges.
"The whole farm from fencing to shedding to pastures in very well-maintained," Esma said.
Balmoral has all the services; schools, doctors and shopping, that we need."
