Land questions worth asking

Soil

• Which soil series appear on the parcel according to the provincial survey, and where do they sit on the map?
• Are there known areas of salinity, sodicity or shallow topsoil? How were they identified and when?
• What is the topsoil depth and organic matter range across the different landscape positions?
• Is there a current soil test, and can copies of the last three to five years be shared?
• Have amendments (lime, gypsum, manure, compost, biosolids) been applied? At what rate and when?

Drainage and water movement

• Where does surface water enter and leave the parcel in a heavy rain event?
• Are there any subsurface tile installations, and are drawings or records available?
• Has the parcel been subject to a licensed drainage works application, order or investigation?
• Which watershed authority or conservation district has jurisdiction, and are current permits on file?
• What is the historical extent of any recurring wet spots or flooded years?

Access

• Is the access road municipally maintained year-round, seasonally, or private?
• Are there weight or width restrictions in spring breakup or during hauling season?
• Is there a railway crossing, pipeline crossing or utility easement affecting movement of equipment?
• Does every legal access shown on title correspond to a physically usable route?

Water — domestic, livestock and irrigation

• What is the current water source for domestic and livestock use, and what is its recorded yield and quality?
• Are wells registered with the province, and are drilling and pump-test records available?
• If the parcel is irrigated, what is the licence number, priority date, volume, source and current standing?
• Is the parcel within an irrigation district, and what are current levy and delivery arrangements?

Infrastructure and improvements

• What grain storage, handling and drying capacity exists, and what condition is each item in?
• What is the age and condition of yard buildings, shop, corrals, fencing, waterers and shelterbelts?
• What is the electrical service, three-phase availability, natural gas and communications situation?
• What easements, rights-of-way, caveats or other instruments are currently registered on title?
• Are there option agreements or contracts (wind, solar, pipeline, aggregate, hunting, telecom)?

People and neighbours

• Who is currently renting or working the land, and on what terms?
• Are there informal but long-standing arrangements with neighbours (fencing, snow, water, road maintenance)?
• Is any of the land under a share, custom-farming or crop-share agreement?

Using this list

These questions are meant to raise, not resolve. The answers belong in a conversation with an agrologist, lawyer, appraiser and lender who can weigh them for the specific parcel and intended use. See our buyer due-diligence checklist for the follow-up items an offer typically triggers.