Fairfield at Corowa ­owned by Clifton family for 70 years

THE respect the Clifton family have for their Corowa ­district property is clear from just looking at the farm.

Treasured heir-loam at Corowa ­

THE respect that the Clifton family have for their Corowa ­district property is clear from just looking at the farm.

Well known in the Landcare fraternity, Andrew and Delwyn Clifton are the latest family custodians to look after Fairfield, which has been in the family for 70 years.

COROWA

FAIRFIELD

Property: cropping/grazing

Size: 541ha

Sale: Auction, March 26 at 2pm

Price: About $2.3 million

Agent: Elders

Contact: David Gittoes 0409 362 722

Their respect of their land shows everywhere and their investment in sustainable farming practices has not only improved the aesthetics, but made the land more profitable.

“Productivity has been increased in all aspects of the farm, from ground cover to stubble retention, salt bush plantations, shelter belts and the retention of native vegetation for shelter for lambing, off shears sheep and also for biodiversity value,” Andrew said.

“The property has been sustainably managed to balance high productivity with sound environmental management.”

Ready to go: Andrew Clifton says the new owners can definitely start farming immediately and grow a crop this year.

The Cliftons have used Fairfield as a mixed farming operation, growing crops as well as running a Merino flock for prime lamb production.

Lambs are usually sold through the Corowa saleyards about 30km away.

The cropping program is based around direct drilling, with a mix of cereals, pulses and oilseeds grown.

An irrigation area uses water supplied by the West Corurgan Scheme, and a 200-megalitre water licence.

Improvements include two houses — one four bedroom and one three bedroom — two silos, a three-stand shearing shed with yards, a workshop, fertiliser and machinery sheds, a hayshed and other shedding.

Fairfield is also home to one of the few white cypress pine remnant woodlots seen on farms.

Andrew said the farm was ready to go for the next owners.

“We have completed a summer spray program and we are about to burn stubbles, so the new owners can definitely start farming immediately and grow a crop this year,” he said.

“We can also negotiate to allow early access to the farm with a buyer if they want to start their cropping program.”