Uniondale Farm / Smallholding for sale / to buy

Experience The Klein Karoo Lifestyle Uniondale, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Price: R4,500,000

EXPERIENCE THE KLEIN KAROO LIFESTYLE..... Nestled at the foothills of the Tsitsikamma mountain range in the Langkloof, approximately one hour from George and 85 kilometers from Knysna via the beautiful Prince Alfred Pass is where you will find this farm. The area in whichthe farm finds itself is one which is renowned for its scenic drives, especially those taken through one of the many passes found in the surrounding area such as the Homtini Pass, Montagu Pass and Phantom Pass. The area offers a wide variety of activities such as Guest farms; game viewing excursions; hiking and 4x4 trails whereby observant hikers may not only spot the klipspringer but also the black eagle which rests on the rocky cliffs of the surrounding mountain range. The farm is centrally located in the Uniondale area; it is here that there are a number of sites where san rock art can be viewed. Concession hunting is also available on some farms in the area as well. Uniondale is a small town steeped in South African history. During the Anglo Boer War, it was protected by six British forts, of which one has been restored to its original state and boasts a bird’s eye view of Uniondale. A memorial has also been erected and opened during December 2003 at the scene of one of the battles. Over-and-above the historical value of the town, the town offers a wide variety of attractions for those lovers of the Klein Karoo lifestyle, the visitor to Uniondale can either explore the local museums or eat at one of its homestead style restaurants such as The Crackling Rosy Restaurant; Die Watermeul, erected in 1805, which also houses an art gallery or, The Townhouse Guest House which has an a la carte restaurant and was the original doctor’s surgery. Uniondale also offers a variety of activities for the sporting enthusiast such as squash, tennis, golf and horse riding. LAND USE on the Farm: Approx 15, 2 ha Apple; Approx 43 ha Grazing under irrigation; Approx 89 ha Dry land grazing, of which 60 ha is used for black oats & 15 ha is used for Lucerne Approx 300 ha Field grazing Approx 214 ha Mountain fields Sheep 150 ewe & 4 rams BUILDINGS (Imrovements) : 2 Spacious Farmhouses Pack House with state of the art machinery Implement Sheds 9 Laborer’s Cottages WATER : 480 000m3 Registered irrigation water LOCATION Section of Uniondale, Western Cape Province Eden District Municipality SIZE : 661, 92 hectares BACKGROUND TO PRODUCTION HISTORY : For a number of years prior to the purchase of the farm, there had been inconsistent application of fertilizers to the trees. Pruning if done at all was not properly done and pruning consultants had not been consulted on the latest pruning techniques. There was no effective spraying program for the apple orchards at all. The irrigation system consisted of old clay pipes, and as a result the apple orchards were not getting sufficient water. RECTIFICATION STRATEGY PERFORMED BY CURRENT OWNER In 2002, the current owner introduced an apple orchard spraying program as directed by Nexus (Bayer). This resulted in a higher quality export crop. Soil and leaf samples were taken in 2002 in order to determine the correct fertilizer applications needed for the orchards. This is still done on a continuous basis. In the year of 2003, the current owner undertook the mapping and laying out of a completely new irrigation system for the orchards, as well as the rest of the farm. The result was an increase in productivity the following season. A new 6 hectare Fuji apple orchard was planted in 2003. During 2004 the current owner had to rectify incorrect pruning techniques used by the previous owner, this resulted in a drop in production levels but was deemed worthwhile because the production level will eventually increase (approximately after 2 seasons) to a higher level than previously achieved. As a result of the rectification of the pruning techniques, 2006 will be the first season whereby the farm will be harvesting Fuji apples. Only a small crop of 50 crates is expected with an estimated increase in production to approximately 220 crates in 2007. The estimated crop production for 2008 is 1300 increasing each year thereafter. In addition to this, the newly planted 2 hectares of Ruby Gala Apples will start to bear fruit in 2008 further increasing the total number of crates made available for export. APPLE ORCHARD BREAKDOWN Orchard Cultivar No of Trees/Hec Hectares 1 Golden Delicious, Starking & Granny Smith 485 1.3 2 Granny Smith & Starking 552 3.3 3 Fuji & Granny Smith 1510 4.3 4 Fuji & Granny Smith 1510 1.7 5 Royal Gala, Granny Smith & Golden Delicious 770 1.5 6 Ruby Gala & Granny Smith 1510 2.3 7 Golden Delicious & Granny Smith 754 0.6 APPLE PRODUCTION FIGURES AND ESTIMATES: Crates Summary for 2002 Season Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 22 147 71 157 n/a 397 Crates Summary for 2003 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 33 150 80 153 n/a 416 Crates Summary for 2004 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 53 189 123 255 n/a 620 Crates Summary for 2005 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 57 134 105 188 n/a 484 Crates Summary for 2006 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 59 170 125 215 50 619 Crates Summary for 2007 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 74 210 157 269 220 930 Crates Summary for 2008 Season : Cultivare Royal Gala Starking Golden Delicious Granny Smith Fuji Total Total Crates 85 235 180 300 500 1300 % pack-out refers to the number of boxes per crate of which there are approximately 20 boxes per crate. Box prices vary according to apple packaging per box i.e. tray or packet Approx between R60 – R70 (MK4 box) – trays Approx between R40 – R50 (Econo box) - packets PPECB ACCREDITED PPECB – Perishable Products Export Control Board. Replaced Eurogap in 2006 This farm was the 1st Apple farm in the Western Cape to receive accreditation in 2006 All the PPECB costs have been paid up-to-date. All that will be required of the new owner is to reapply next year and maintain the standard of the farm and thus the produce.

Property Facilities Uniondale property

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Contact Details Uniondale property

Benhard Wiese Tel: 084 611 2293 to e-mail this agent   More properties by: Benhard Wiese   View all properties by: Cape Coastal Homes

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