Land - Elands River | Province Of Eastern Cape | South Africa
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Land/Ruins Description
ELANDSRIVIER FARM PRIME POSITION
Location
This farm is located on the picturesque Elandsrivier road approximately 55km from Rockland's and within the magical 100km radius of Port Elizabeth.
Size
Made up a 3 titles, the farm is a shade under 675h in extent.
Description
The bulk of the properties along this stretch of the valley have been cut to incorporate a piece of the Elandsrivier, a chunk of the fertile valley and a stretch of the magnificent Kouga Mountains that precede the Baviaans range. This farm is no different with the 3 titles stretching back from the river to include a magnificent basin on the Southern side of the mountain ridge.
The intensive agricultural potential in the valley, coupled with the dramatic topography and unspoilt wilderness encompassed by the mountain title offer the best of both, with something to satisfy both the farmer and adventurer.
Veld types
Over time, almost the entire stretch of the Elandsrivier valley has been put to the plow. Aerial pictures show the intensive patterns of contoured lands exploiting all but the most inaccessible spots of this fertile stretch of land. 256h of this property has been developed in the same way with all available fertile land having been extensively contoured. It is obvious here, that of late, these lands have not been worked and there is some sign of encroachment, though not on a scale that would hamper their utilization. The natural grasses on these sections seem to be a mix of Hetrapogon and Themeda on those pieces that have escaped the plough, with a blend of Cynodon and Eragrostis Curvula on the disturbed ground.
While these lands have historically been planted to wheat, sorghum and oats, if one was to pursue a stock farming initiative here, I would sow them to one of the more robust, perennial pasture grasses. Well managed and supplemented by the substantial irrigation that one could develop, one to plausibly elevate the carrying capacity here to a conservative 1ha - 1 LSU.
Climbing out of the valley and into the mountain sections, the grass species change quite abruptly. While the Themeda was still present in healthy densities, the default grasses found were aristidas with the odd tuft of Merxmuella. I have no doubt that higher up these species would become more prevalent. They would however offer good summer grazing to both small and large stock.
The drainage line down the centre of the valley soon becomes a viable tributary of the Elands rivier. There is evidence of a good covering of indigenous bush here although there is significant wattle encroachment as well. The latter is still at a stage where it could be managed, and where the neighbours have cleared it out they have some very impressive stands of Yellow woods. It is plausible that persistent use of a chainsaw here would reveal the same.
Rainfall / water
The farm falls in a transition rainfall area, with an annual average of approximately 520mm / annum. Currently the farm has one earth dam right at the top of the valley which is fed by a strong perennial spring. The neighbour, who has an almost identical feature, has developed his to irrigate approx 50h under pivot and permanent irrigation. While this did slow right down towards the end of the prolonged drought, this is to be expected.
The advantage that this property would have over the neighbour is 2 boreholes adjacent to this dam. The older of the 2 is currently being siphoned out of as the water level sits some 4m below the surface. I am told that the newer of the 2 holes is incredibly strong, and likewise has water sitting on the surface. It is my opinion that one could siphon sufficient water out of both holes, and the earth dam to gravity irrigate a conservative, but permanent 50h of pasture at the bottom of the valley. Couple this to the above mentioned carrying capacity and you have a very viable stock farming unit.
Game species
The central drainage line is home to a surprising density of bushbuck, 2 of which seemed totally unfazed by my presence. I was also able to find sign of common duiker and what I'm sure was Cape Grysbok. While I never ventured too far up there, I can guarantee that the mountain title would be home to significant numbers of mountain reedbuck and perhaps even Vaal Rhebuck right on top.
Improvements
It is obvious that considerable effort has been lavished on the 2 adjoining houses.
The 1st of the houses has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with separate pantry, a lounge, bathroom and separate toilet. The bathrooms have been very nicely redone and it is obvious that a lot has been spent renovating and fixing. The wooden floors throughout were the next maintainance item, and once sanded and re varnished would add the final touch to what is a very neat farm house.
The 2nd adjoining house is perhaps more modern. It has tiled floors throughout, and likewise recently and tastefully re done bathrooms. It likewise has a large and well fitted kitchen, lounge and large bathroom, but unlike the adjoining main house, has only 2 bedrooms.
There is one large store room and 2 labourer's cottages above the road. The boundary fencing appears to be intact and of a suitable standard. I could only find 4 internal camps, but likewise, the fencing seemed to be intact. I cannot vouch for what fencing there is in the mountain portions.
Besides the siphon line that supplies water to the house, I could not find much evidence of a previous irrigation scheme that had been in place. There are 2 watering troughs that I could find, both fed by underground piping, but the source thereof was unclear. It is my feeling that the whole water reticulation system would need an overhaul. The fortunate bit though is that the water is there in abundance and the entire system could be gravity fed.
Conclusion
It is obvious that the agricultural section of this farm has not been run to its potential over the last few years. That said however, it would not take much to get it humming again, and coupled with the irrigation potential mentioned above, it can be run as a very viable and rewarding unit. It is very well priced for this area, allowing one to inject the necessary money to get it optimal, without the risk of over capitalizing. The houses are very neat, and with the mountain and river portions offer a diversity of scenery and topography that should appeal to most. Add to this the fact that it borders onto the Stinkhout Nature reserve, is a stones throw from Baviaans, and yet still within comfortable reach of P.E. I feel this makes it a "best of both" for most people. The owner is VAT registered and the property can, by negotiation be taken over as a going concern.
Price R 2.7 mil plus Vat if payable.
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Approximate price of this 0-Bed Land
ZAR2,700,000 ZAR |
€257,784 EUR |
£206,304 GBP |
US$323,415 USD |
(Currency and Foreign Exchange services supplied by  )
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| Type |
Land |
| Category |
Re-Sale |
| Listed |
over 6 months ago |
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Map of Elandsrivier, Province of Eastern Cape, South Africa
Towns located close to Elandsrivier, South Africa
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Similar Properties in or near Elandsrivier
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Price: ZAR2,700,000
Latest Property News in South Africa
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Price of Property in Elandsrivier, South Africa
| (All prices in EUR) |
Elandsrivier |
Elandsrivier |
Elandsrivier |
| Land/Ruins |
2,400,000 |
34,635 |
3,700,000 |
65,000,000 |
- |
3,240,000 |
* Calculations based on 4 properties for sale in Elandsrivier and 401 properties for sale in South Africa |
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