Part of the 2800 Angus cattle herd on Mt Fyans, in Victoria’s western districts

• Chinese buyer outlays $34m for western districts’ Mt Fyans
• Vietnamese buyer outlays $18m on first NT cattle land purchase
• Quilpie buyers for Politic
• New entity created with Stockplace launch

Chinese buyer outlays $34m for western districts’ Mt Fyans

Chinese-backed Harmony Beef and Cattle is reported to be outlaying about $34 million to purchase grand rural property Mt Fyans in the Western District of Victoria

Mt Fyans is the first purchase by Harmony Beef and Cattle controlled by the major Chinese group He Sheng.

Located at Dundonnell, the 5900ha Mt Fyans aggregation was put together over 25 years by the vendor, the Earl of Stradbroke.

The property, just two hours from Melbourne, includes 2800 Angus breeders and 2000 sheep for prime lamb production. The property is said to have attracted some foreign investor last year, although there were some concerns about a deal progressing. The property is also well watered with springs, dams and bores, with poly pipe delivering to 190 troughs.

Also included is an eight bedroom historic homestead built in the mid-1880s.

Vietnamese buyer makes first NT cattle land purchase

In what is believed to be the first major Vietnamese investment in the north Australian beef industry, a prominent Vietnamese businessman has purchased Northern Territory cattle property Vermelha Station.

Vermelha has been sold for $18 million, including 10,000 Brahman-cross cattle.

New owner is An Avien Pastoral Holding and Agriculture, whose major shareholder is Pham Nhat Vu, the chairman of media company An Vien Group. Mr Pham is the brother of Vietnam’s only billionaire and head of conglomerate Vingroup, Pham Nhat Vuong.

The 2039sq km Vermelha is located about 200km south of Katherine, alongside the Stuart Highway. The property is well-developed in terms of fencing, laneways, yards and waters.

Selling agent was Sue Brosnan from Tanami Rural Property.

Formerly owned by Lyn and Bobbie Brazil, Vermelha has diversification potential, with a recent Northern Territory Government study finding the local soils to be suitable for irrigation projects. The property has a water licence and was the first in the region to introduce a centre pivot irrigator to grow hay for cattle.

Quilpie buyers for Politic

Aramac district grazing property Politic has been bought by the Pegler family from Quilpie.

The 33,635ha property, offered by Peter Naylor, Pink Hills Pastoral, Winton, included about 17,000ha of open downs Mitchell grass country in fresh condition, 8000ha of pulled gidgee sown to buffel and supported by soft native grasses, and 9000ha of forest country sown to buffel and stylos.

Politic was sold on a walk-in, walk-out basis including plant and machinery and 2000 quality Red Brahman/Droughtmaster-cross cattle.

Marketing agent Virgil Kenny, Elders, said the inclusion of the cattle in the offering has significantly increased buyer interest.

New entity created with Stockplace launch

There’s a new livestock and property specialist in North Queensland. Luke Westaway, formerly of TopX, has this year created Stockplace Marketing – stock for places, places for stock.

Mr Westaway said the focus of the new company was on servicing individual northern clients better.

“We found the franchise model was not catering, or offering the flexibility, for our northern beef producers. That is why we made the decision to go out on our own and launch Stockplace Marketing.  We sell into all types of markets and have all types of stock types for different markets available from our region,” he said.

Mr Westaway said the new company provided a universal platform for any purchaser positioned in the market to access a consistent supply of livestock and property listings from its vendors.

The Stockplace Marketing team includes Luke and Sara Westaway (Richmond), James and Susan Coates (Cloncurry) and Ashley and Emily Naclerio (Richmond).