SOUTHERN NSW grazing and cropping property Ralvona runs like a well-oiled machine.

Almost 40km of new fencing, central laneways, productive cropping soils and unlimited water add up to ease of management.

Owners Jim and Bridie Heriot have transformed the 647ha farm into a "fodder factory"' carrying 15,000 dry sheep equivalents.

Located midway between Holbrook and Culcairn, Ralvona boasts frontage to the Billabong, Ten Mile, Mountain and Willowbend creeks.

It is in a 700mm rainfall zone and has mains water connected to an extensive trough system. There are also 13 surface dams, one equipped bore and five unequipped bores.

The couple bought Ralvona in 2006 and added neighbouring property Ravenswood last year to expand the holding. They have completely re-fenced the property into soil types and along creek lines.

Almost 40km of new fencing - all electric - is complemented by central laneways linking two sets of cattle yards.

"We have kept paddocks larger for functional cropping or grazing,"' Jim said. "Gateways are double width for modern farm machinery.

"We can travel from one end of the farm to the other via laneways without opening a gate.

"The place is set up to be functional, low-cost grazing and cropping."

Jim said Ralvona could run 1500-2000 trade cattle with a part-time labour unit.

"All troughs are on town water with high flow rates, plus there are back-up dams and creeks," he said.

Soils range from deep alluvial to rising loam with small areas of granite.

Strategic lime and fertiliser applications have resulted in high soil fertility.

"We sow dual-purpose forage cereals which can be grazed, cut for silage or hay, or harvested for grain," Jim said.

"There is also 60ha of silverado lucerne and a renovated pasture base of phalaris, ryegrass and clover.

"About 500ha of yarran oats have been oversown into pasture to give us a large bulk of feed.

"This property is set up as a fodder factory - it is easy to turn cattle off five times a year."

Jim and Bridie run trade cattle, agistment and backgrounding stock, as well as fattening 4000 prime lambs.

"Last year we traded in weaner steers, heifers, cull cows and mickey bulls," Jim said.

"We can change our enterprise at the click of the fingers.

"This place can either go all cattle, sheep only or 100 per cent cropping - the country is so versatile."

The couple have renovated the main homestead.

It is set in a cottage-style garden overlooking Ten Mile Creek. The property also has a tennis court.

The four-bedroom home features colonial-style doors, a renovated kitchen, two bathrooms, office and sunroom.

Ralvona's second home is a contemporary Colorbond modular design on the banks of the Billabong Creek.

The three-bedroom home has a light filled kitchen-dining area opening on to a large entertainment deck.

Nearby is self-contained guest accommodation and garage - all set in a newly-landscaped garden.

Working improvements include a three-stand machinery shed, two machinery sheds, a hayshed, two sets of cattle yards and four Kotzur grain silos.

The main cattle yards have B-double access and can handle 500 cattle at a time.

They feature a tub and pound, large crush and each-way draft for easy stock flow.

"In the last six months we have run the place at 15,000 dry sheep equivalents," Jim said.

"This property is set up to make money so it was a hard decision for us to go.

"But we would like to move on to another business challenge."