Written by Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Rexara Realty Inc.·Published: October 5, 2026·Buying Farmland
A hay or forage farm is a different purchase from an intensive crop operation, and the value drivers are different. What matters on hay land is the soil capability, the drainage, the water (irrigation can boost yield significantly but dryland hay is common), the parcel size (because the economics depend on acreage and yield per cut), and the condition of any haying infrastructure — sheds, fences, and equipment storage.
Hay land is often lower-class soil that is still productive for forage but not for vegetables or berries, so it trades at a lower per-acre price than intensive farmland. The carrying capacity and the number of cuts per season depend on the region, the water, and the soil, and a buyer who assumes three cuts without verifying the water and the growing season can overpay.
I help clients evaluate hay and forage land on what it can actually produce, the water that supports it, and the infrastructure that comes with it. Read our Buying a Farm guide for the due-diligence checklist, and treat the yield and water as the core numbers, not just the acreage.
Important: This answer is general professional guidance for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, financial or regulatory advice. ALR rules, water licensing, zoning and farm-classification requirements can change and depend on your specific property. Always verify with the relevant BC authorities and qualified professionals before making decisions.
Gurjit Ghai, REALTOR®
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Brokerage: Rexara Realty Inc.
Gurjit Ghai is a BC real estate professional specializing in agricultural land, ALR properties, and farm operations across British Columbia. He helps buyers and sellers navigate water rights, soil capability, farm classification, and the unique due diligence that farmland transactions require.