A prime piece of arable land has come on the market. Agents say Home Farm, part of the Duke of Marlborough’s Blenheim Estate at Bladon near Woodstock, is one of the first pure arable holdings to come to the market since commodity prices broke through a record high a few months ago.

A 430-acre arable farm, the ring-fenced block has road access and large, relatively flat and easily worked fields.

Roy Cox, who heads up farm management at agent Smiths Gore, said: “The retirement of the previous tenant is going to give someone the opportunity to take on a highly productive and versatile block of arable land.

“We expect stiff competition from both local farmers and perhaps those from further afield who see a ring-fenced block of more than 400 acres as a real opportunity to build on their farming business”.

Home Farm has Single Farm Payment entitlement and a building that could be used for fertiliser or straw. The agents are offering on-floor grain storage with 750-tonne capacity by separate annual agreement.

Simon Blandford of the Blenheim Estate added: “With forward wheat prices at £140 per tonne and a shortfall in large blocks of good arable land on the market, we expect to see considerable interest in Home Farm, both across the county and further afield.”

Home Farm is offered under an initial ten-year farm business tenancy. The closing date for enquiries is April 28.

n Contact Mr Cox on 01865 733308 or e-mail roy.cox@smithsgore.co.uk