Creating an Appraisal Report in DAS is a straightforward process that allows you to generate detailed, professional property reports tailored to your clients' needs. This guide walks you through each step, from selecting a custom farm to finalizing the report.
Step 1: Select Your Custom Farm
Before creating an Appraisal Report, select the custom farm you want to base the report on. You can do this in one of three ways:
From the Map – Navigate to the farm and left-click to select it.
From the Custom Farms Tab – Open the Custom Farms tab and choose a previously created farm.
Create a New Farm – Use Build Mode to define a new custom farm. Read: How to Build a Custom Farm.
Once selected, the left-hand side interface will appear. Click on the Reports Tab, then select New Report > Appraisal Report.
💡 Note: Reports are saved to your account for future access and edits. If you modify farm boundaries, you’ll need to create a new report for the changes to be reflected. For Appraisal Reports, you can use the Copy & Update Structures feature, found in the Reports Tab of your selected custom farm. This option creates a duplicate report with updated boundaries and structures reflective of changes made to the custom farm while preserving all previously entered data. This ensures you don’t have to start from scratch, saving time while keeping your reports up to date.
Step 2: Customize Your Appraisal Report
Once inside the report builder, you’ll see different sections. Some allow manual input, while others pull DAS-curated data. All sections can be toggled on/off to fit your needs.
Key Sections Available for Manual Input:
✔ Title
✔ Overview
✔ Comparable Sales
✔ Chattels
✔ Improvements
✔ Land Values
✔ Production
✔ Current Carbon Inventory
✔ Summary
💡 Tip: Use the Preview Report (Bottom Right) button to check formatting before generating the final document.
Step 3: Fill in the Overview Section
This section provides basic property details, the following sections are editable:
Client ID
Property Name – Assign a relevant name.
Address – Auto-populated based on GNAF Address.
Property Description – Add extra details (e.g., livestock, machinery).
Custom Fields – If enabled, select applicable farm/sale tags.
Primary Usage – Example: Grazing Native Vegetation.
Land Area (ha) – Auto-calculated based on farm boundaries.
Step 4: Add Comparable Sales
Comparable sales enhance the appraisal by providing market context. You can add sales data using one of these methods:
Enable Sales Data Layers:
Open the Layers Tab and activate Sales Pin Layers.
Open the Filters Tab and enable Sales and Appraisal Pins for the relevant years.
Ensure the eye icons are visible (not crossed out).
Add Comparable Sales:
✔ Use the ALT Key – Hold ALT
+ Left-click on a analysis or appraisal pin to add it.
✔ From the Farm Interface – Click a system farm boundary, navigate to the Sales Tab, and click Add Sales Analysis.
You can then assign comparison tags (Comparable
, Inferior
, Superior
) and add comments for further insights.
Step 5: Add Chattels
Chattels refer to movable property assets like crops and water licenses. You can:
✔ Select chattels from a dropdown menu.
✔ Click Other to enter a custom chattel type.
✔ Add appraised values and specific comments.
Step 6: Edit Improvements
The Improvements Tab lets you manage structures on the property.
DAS-detected structures appear on the left-hand side.
Click on a structure to edit its details.
Use the Show on Map button to center the structure it in the geospatial view to ensure correctly selection of structures.
Editable Fields:
✔ Type (e.g., machinery shed, silo)
✔ Size (sq. m)
✔ Construction Year, Condition, Value
✔ Insured Value & Description
To manually add a new structure, click + Add Structure and use Place Structure to mark its location on the map.
You can also add overall comments for the property’s improvements as a whole. Additionally, structures such as fences and fields can be manually added and treated accordingly, including assigning relevant photos. This allows flexibility in documenting various property features creatively.
Step 7: Add Photos to Your Report
Adding photos to your report is simple and efficient. Follow these steps to upload and assign images to structures:
Open the Gallery
Click the Gallery button in the Structures tab.
Upload Photos
Click the Upload Button In the top right hand corner.
From Mobile: Scan the QR code to upload images directly from your phone.
From Desktop: Click Choose files or drag and drop photos into the gallery window.
Assign Photos to Structures
Drag and drop images onto the corresponding structure.
Use Auto Assign (if geotagging is enabled, photos will automatically link to the nearest structure based on location).
Relevant article if you want to learn more.
Step 8: Enter Land Values
DAS auto-populates land types and areas, but you can:
✔ Modify values based on vendor data.
✔ Assign $/ha unit values.
✔ Add or remove land type rows as needed.
Step 9: Add Production Data
Input livestock, milk, or produce details:
✔ For Livestock/Milk: Choose a unit type (e.g., DSE, Stock Units, Litres).
✔ For Produce: Select crop type (e.g., Citrus, Barley, Cotton).
✔ Enter unit prices and totals.
Step 10: Fill in Current Carbon Inventory
For properties tracking carbon data, enter:
✔ Scope 1, 2, & 3 Emissions
✔ Carbon Sequestration
✔ Net Farm Emissions
✔ Potential Offset Values
Step 11: Review the Summary Section
This section provides a final total summary of all values entered, including:
✔ Land & Improvements Total
✔ Chattels Total
✔ Final Property Valuation
💡 Tip: The Valuation Analysis section table gives a detailed breakdown of each category compared to the simple summary section.
Step 12: Toggle Additional Sections
DAS allows you to customize your reports by toggling additional sections on or off. This ensures that the report only includes relevant data, making it more concise and tailored to your needs.
Below is a breakdown of each section:
Cover
The cover page includes a geospatial image outlining the property boundary, along with key details such as property value, the report's creator, and the Client ID.
Valuation Analysis
Provides a comprehensive breakdown of land types, total land areas, values, improvements, and the overall property valuation. It also includes chattels such as crops and water licenses to account for all assets.
Climate
Displays historical and current climate data, including average annual rainfall, the nearest weather station, and rainfall trends. This section helps assess weather-related risks and the long-term viability of agricultural activities.
Production (Potential Carrying Capacity)
Estimates the property's carrying capacity using Dry Sheep Equivalents (DSE) and Adult Equivalents (AE). It assesses livestock sustainability and feed requirements based on CSIRO models.
Slope & Elevation
Maps the average slope and elevation across the property, aiding in land use planning, erosion risk assessment, and the feasibility of agricultural or structural developments.
Soil Type
Identifies soil classifications based on the Australian Soil Classification (ASC) system. This section highlights predominant soil types, influencing crop suitability, water retention, and overall land productivity.
Remnant Vegetation
Categorizes land cover into forest, sparse-woody, and non-woody areas. This helps in understanding biodiversity, conservation efforts, and potential land use restrictions.
Agricultural Land Uses
Displays land classification based on its agricultural activities, such as grazing, cropping, and forestry. It provides insight into property usage and helps with future land management planning.
Risk
Assesses environmental risks such as drought stress, flood potential, bushfire risk, and frost frequency. This section is useful for identifying hazards that could impact property value and operations.
Step 13: Generate the Report
Once satisfied with the report:
Click Generate Report (bottom right).
The final PDF will be emailed to you.
Larger reports may take longer to process.
Key Takeaways
✔ Reports are saved for future edits or reference.
✔ Use Layers & Filters to refine sales data.
✔ Customize structures & images for deeper insights.
✔ Toggle sections to streamline reports.
For further assistance, reach out to our support team or explore additional articles in the DAS Knowledge Base.
This version ensures clarity, structure, and ease of reading while making it concise and scannable for users. Let me know if you need any final refinements! 🚀