The Key Elements of a Farm to Consider

Whether you’re looking at getting into a farming enterprise for the first time or expanding an existing farm, there are some fundamental aspects of any farm block that you need to carefully assess before making decisions. Getting these right from the start can save you a great deal of time, money, and stress down the track.

Water

Water is essential to all forms of farming, which makes a farm’s water assets one of the most critical things to evaluate. Depending on the scale of your enterprise, you may need the security of access to scheme water, or you may be able to rely on annual rainfall combined with on-farm storage such as dams and rainwater tanks. The presence of existing groundwater or aquifer assets on a farm block may also influence the viability of your plans.

Existing water infrastructure on a property is also a significant advantage. For stock farmers in particular, it’s important to have at least two sources of water available in each paddock, so that if one source fails, animals still have access to water.

If a farm has existing water sources such as bores, windmills, or dams, the quality of that water also needs to be properly assessed. Key water quality indicators include pH levels, total dissolved solids (whether water is hard or soft), turbidity (cloudiness), and electrical conductivity or salinity. Testing water quality across all farm sources before you buy is always worthwhile, it can prevent a small issue from becoming a very costly one.

Permanent or seasonal water features like rivers and creek systems can also be an enormous asset, providing water access for both stock and horticultural enterprises, as well as shade and shelter.

Soil

Soil type and fertility have a profound impact on what a farm can produce and how productive and profitable it can be. Soils are made up of inorganic material (sand, silt, or clay) and organic material consisting of microbes and plant matter. Different soil types suit different crops and pastures, have varying fertiliser requirements, varying potential to become non-wetting, and differing capacity to retain water after rain.

The good news is that getting a soil tested is straightforward – it simply involves taking samples and sending them to a soil testing business. The resulting report will outline soil type, constitution, and fertility, and can also indicate whether there has been a strong fertiliser history on the property.

Vegetation

Existing vegetation on a farm, including natural pasture, saltbush, fodder shrubs, and remnant vegetation, can be an extremely useful resource – providing food, shade, and shelter for livestock. However, it’s equally important to carefully inspect a property for any weeds that may require management, as well as areas of degraded or salt-affected land that may need rehabilitation.

Infrastructure

Existing infrastructure – sheds, quality fences, yards, and water tanks – can be a major advantage to any farming enterprise. Anyone who has ever run livestock will attest that well-designed yards save enormous amounts of time and stress. While infrastructure can always be purchased and installed, the time and resources required to do so need to be factored into any buying decision.

Begin with the End in Mind

Farming can be an extremely rewarding business and a great life. However, like any significant investment of time, money, and effort, it pays to begin with clarity about what you want to achieve. Being clear on the type and scale of farming you want to undertake, how much you want to earn, and what you want your farm life to look like is absolutely essential.