THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings across the country, and a separate story on recently completed sales .

• McBrides offer SA’s historic Keilira Station
• $25m-$30m for blue ribbon grazing close to Adelaide
• $18m+ for Monaro Grazing Portfolio
• Renowned Dunedoo breeding & fattening property
• November auction for NT depot
• Sought after CQ cattle country lists
• Scale in NSW’s Southern Tablelands
• LAWD lists four grazing opportunities
• Qld’s Ardentrive reoffered as three holdings

Country on Keilira comprises more than 2000ha of heavy grazing flats and more than 1200ha) of undulating hills capable of grazing 28,000DSE.

McBrides offer SA’s historic Keilira Station

The iconic South Australian sheep and cattle station Keilira has hit the market for the first time in nearly 70 years.

The 3345ha holding, pictured above, is situated 34km east of Kingston and described as one of the most prominent grazing properties of significant scale in the state’s south-east Keilira district.

Owned by the McBride family since 1954, the historic holding was originally named Avenue Range Station by James Brown who arrived from Scotland in 1849.

According to the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse newspaper, Keilira (pronounced Killara) was also known as Kalyra – the indigenous name for hopbush which is found locally.

The country comprises more than 2000ha (60 percent) of heavy grazing flats and more than 1200ha (40pc) of undulating hills capable of grazing 28,000DSE.

Colliers Agribusiness director Tim Altschwager said the productive flats could be converted to cropping.

“Further production uplifts are offered by 900ML water entitlements for potential irrigation and continuing the pasture improvement program,” he said.

The district has a reliable winter rainfall with a long-term average of around 540mm a year.

The flats country is benefited by two drainage channels which form part of the South East Drainage Network and help to shift excessive water off the low-lying areas.

Over the years, the McBrides have undertaken a range of infrastructure developments and pasture renovations to drive efficiencies and increase production, including satellite yards.

A significant amount of fencing has been replaced following the Keilira bushfires three years ago.

In addition to its agricultural potential, Keilira offers possible diversified income streams including the development of wind turbines (which are in advanced negotiations in the region).

Jesse Manuel also from Colliers said the sale was likely to interest private and corporate livestock producers, as well as buyers attracted to the property’s significant cropping potential.

The property features the original homestead and outbuildings including an old stone shearing shed which is now used a workshop and storage shed.

There are three homes, shearers’ quarters, a six-stand shearing shed with yards, cattle yards and numerous sheds.

Colliers Agribusiness agents Jesse Manuel and Tim Altschwager and Grant Schubert from Elders are handling the sale on a walk-in walk-out basis closing on December 1.

$25m-$30m for blue ribbon grazing close to Adelaide

A blue-ribbon grazing enterprise close to Adelaide that is expected to command between $25 million and $30 million is generating strong interstate interest.

The 1158ha Mount Beevor is located 9km north-east of Nairne and 45km from the Adelaide CBD.

The name Mount Beevor originates from Captain Beevor, the first European settler to the district in 1839.

Since 1949, the property has been held by the Downer family, with owners Jim (a second cousin to former Foreign Minister Alexander) and his wife Ally selling to enable family succession.

CBRE Agribusiness agents Phil Schell and Angus Bills are managing the sale via a two-stage expressions of interest campaign closing on November 30.

Mr Schell said rarely do properties of this scale and quality come to market as one landholding in the Adelaide Hills.

“The Adelaide Hills has been a hot property market of late and we have fielded phone calls from people in Victoria and Sydney seeking a commercial grazing enterprise and lifestyle investment,” he said.

Also, Mount Beevor comprises 21 certificates of title which means the property could be split up if desired.

The productive grazing platform benefits from an average annual rainfall of 605mm.

The sandy loams over clay and sections of loam over clay are growing a mix of pastures including Mount Barker clovers, medics and annual grasses.

Rated to run 11,670 DSE, the Downers are currently running 2500 ewes and 275 cows which are available by negotiation, along with plant and equipment.

Mount Beevor has four homes, a shearing shed, machinery sheds, multiple dams, single-phase power and mains water supply on a restricted line.

The 1158ha Mount Beevor is located 9km north-east of Nairne and 45km from the Adelaide CBD.

$18m+ for Monaro Grazing Portfolio

A private investor looking to take advantage of strong buyer demand is offering his premium grazing portfolio in the Monaro region of southern New South Wales for more than $18 million.

Aggregated over 14 years and spanning 4366ha, the portfolio comprises three properties – 2269ha Biggam and the neighbouring 321ha Tara in Rocky Plain, and the 1775ha Worongah in Jimenbuen, 82km away or around 1.5 hours by car.

All are used for sheep and beef production with an estimated carrying capacity of 16,000 DSE across the three holdings.

• Biggam has been extensively developed for grazing with improved and native pastures, several spring fed dams and quality fencing. Improvements include a three-bedroom home, shearers’ quarters, steel cattle yards, a six-stand shearing shed, sheep yards and several sheds.
• Tara has bitumen road frontage and quality fencing with water supplied by spring fed dams. Improvements include a three-bedroom home, a machinery shed, a workshop and steel cattle yards.
• Worongah has 6km of Snowy River frontage and Matong Creek frontage and comprises gently undulating open and timbered country with productive soils. Improvements include a three-bedroom home, a two-stand shearing shed, sheep yards and a machinery shed.

Colliers Agribusiness agents James Beer, Thomas Quinn, Nick Connor and Rawdon Briggs are anticipating strong interest from a range of buyer groups.

“Interest is anticipated from local farming families, corporate investors, domestic and international high net worth individuals and carbon groups.”

They said Worongah should appeal to both agricultural investors and rural lifestyle purchasers.

“It has significant frontage to both the Snowy River and Matong Creek, as well as excellent farming potential.”

The property may also attract agritourism operators due to its scenic natural landscape, including views of the Snowy Mountains, the Snowy River, native Black Cypress forests, the Matong Gorge and the Stone Bridge.

The Monaro Grazing Portfolio is being offered for sale in one line or as separate properties by an expressions of interest campaign closing on November 24.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qzZx6XXxo

Renowned Dunedoo livestock breeding & finishing property

One of the longest held and largest holdings in the renowned Dunedoo district of central western New South Wales is being offered to the market by the Gaden family after 97 years of ownership.

The 33389ha Lockerbie is a renowned livestock breeding and finishing and wool growing property, estimated to carry 13,000 to 14,000 DSE.

In an average season, it carries up to 3200 breeding ewes, 1500 wool cutting wethers and up to 350 cows. In optimum seasons, numbers have reached as high as 18,000 DSE.

The original part of Lockerbie was acquired by the Gaden family in 1926 and added to in 1964 and 1991 to create the current contiguous holding.

Today, much of the livestock operation is managed under cell grazing.

The rich basalt and loam soils are complemented by 550ha of productive arable country mainly along the Merrygoen Creek flats which produce cash or fodder cropping and high-performance pastures.

Meares & Associates principal Chris Meares said Lockerbie was one of the leading holdings in the region.

“Annually, it joins up to 3200 ewes and 1500 wethers, runs up to 350 breeding cows, as well as cash or fodder cropping.”

Lockerbie is watered by a 9.5km mostly double frontage to the permanent Merrygoen Creek, complimented by six bores, 19 dams and numerous permanent and semi-permanent creeks.

Mr Meares said Lockerbie had potential to generate biodiversity offsets.

“An initial (non-binding) exploratory review, undertaken in July, can be made available to interested parties outlining the opportunity, high level business case and subsequent actions under the NSW Government Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.”

The turnkey opportunity offers the incoming purchaser advanced improvements including a fully automated ‘state of the art’ lamb and sheep feedlot capable of turning off up to 16,000 lambs per annum.

Other infrastructure includes two homes, a five-stand woolshed, sheep and cattle yards, numerous sheds and 765 tonnes of grain storage.

Lockerbie will be auctioned online by Meares & Associates on December 6.

The 33389ha Lockerbie is a renowned livestock breeding and finishing and wool growing property, estimated to carry 13,000 to 14,000 DSE.

November auction for NT depot

A well-positioned Northern Territory depot block, located one hour from Darwin Port, will be auctioned online on November 23.

Owned by Katherine-based company Hammaco (Kurt Hammer and Meg Elliott), the 543ha Heaton Hill is situated near Tortilla Flats, 15km north of Adelaide River and 30 minutes from the Batchelor Meatworks.

With Stuart Highway frontage, it has all-season road access and is well established to gamba grass and seasonally stocked with 700 feeder cattle.

The balance is ridge country, with most of the fencing renewed over the last 10 years and watered by two bores.

Heaton Hill features all-steel, 2000 head cattle yards for feeding and spelling, depot yards, an undercover race, shaded feed yards, sprinklers, loading and unloading ramps and lights for 24/7 pick-ups and delivery.

Around 150ha is established to hay paddocks (jarrah and tully grass) yielding between 3000 and 4000 large square bales of hay a year, with the capacity to increase.

The infrastructure includes accommodation, a commodity shed, a workshop and underground three-phase power.

The sale of Heaton Hill is being handled by Nutrien Harcourts GDL agents Toni Coutts from Katherine and Dalby-based Andrew McCallum.

Sought-after CQ cattle country lists

The Rowlands family, Humboldt, Comet, is consolidating its assets and offloading buffel country in one of Central Queensland’s most sought-after cattle grazing districts.

The 3784ha Kulla, 66km south of Blackwater and 68km north of Rolleston, is carrying a good body of dry season feed that can carry 600 cows and calves or 800 dry cattle.

The prime breeding, finishing and backgrounding country is situated in the Comet-Blackwater-Rolleston triangle, widely acknowledged as some of the best of the Central Highlands cattle country.

RPV agent Terry Ray and Bryton Virgo said Kulla will appeal to existing producers looking to expand or those seeking a standalone operation.

“It is an easily managed operation which would excel at growing weaners out to feedlot entry weights or taking all categories to slaughter levels.

“Although developed to a reasonable level, a little more investment in development would take Kulla to a ‘show place’ standard,” the agents said.

The property comprises 2700ha (71pc) of developed mixed brigalow scrub, 550ha (15pc) of partially developed open mountain coolibah forest, 330ha (9pc) of developed black soil downs, and 204ha (5pc) lancewood forest and ridges.

Improvements include a three-bedroom home, two sheds and cattle yards.

Kulla is watered by a bore, two dams, a well and seasonal flows from the Shotover Creek. It will be auctioned bare on November 17.

The 3784ha Kulla, 66km south of Blackwater and 68km north of Rolleston, is carrying a good body of dry season feed that can carry 600 cows and calves or 800 dry cattle.

Scale in NSW’s Southern Tablelands

Inglis Rural Property has listed two adjoining properties spanning 1337ha on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

Gundowringa

Offered for the first time in 119 years, fourth generation sheep producer Charlie Prell is selling the historic holding Gundowringa.

The 865ha holding, situated 17km from Crookwell and 32km from Goulburn, is being sold to enable family succession.

The well drained granite and red basalt soils are growing perennial pastures that can support 9000 to 11,000 DSE.

Agent Sam Triggs said Gundowringa offers a diversified income stream underpinning profitability.

“With 13 wind turbines and a substation, there is a (pending) 30-year lease agreement with an income stream of $226,800 per annum indexed at Sydney CPI.”

Mr Triggs said the agency had carried out a discounted cash flow analysis to establish a net present value (NPV) of the income stream.

He said it was a developing market, so it was difficult to say how potential purchasers would respond.

“Early indications suggest the property will attract greater interest because banks are looking at cash flow, serviceability and the ability to weather cyclical commodity and climatic cycles. Turbines allow a buffer for that.”

Situated in a 750mm annual average rainfall region, Gundowring has extensive frontage to the Wollondilly River and 24 dams.

Improvements include a six-bedroom stone home, a four-bedroom home and three cottages, a circa 1900 eight-stand (three equipped) shearing shed, numerous sheds and steel cattle yards.

Gundowringa is being offered for sale via expressions of interest closing on November 30 and likely to sell between $11m and $12m.

Pejar

The neighbouring 472ha grazing holding Pejar, owned by Sam and Alannah Gordon, boasts 6km of Pejar Dam frontage.

Situated halfway between Crookwell and Goulburn, the undulating country has fertile red basalt and well drained granite soils growing improved perennial pastures.

Estimated to carry up to 5500 DSE, Pejar has not been fully stocked since 2017 and is currently running 120 cows, 80 steers and heifers and 1500 ewes.

As well as Pejar Dam frontage, the property has 1.5km of double frontage to the seasonal Pejar Creek and 1km of double frontage to the seasonal Gray’s Creek.

Water is also supplied by a 3ML water access licence and 23 dams.

Improvements include steel yards for cattle and sheep and three silos with 130 tonnes of grain storage.

Pejar offers C3 zoning allowing for a multitude of agricultural or lifestyle pursuits, with possible additional income streams including subdivision, agrotourism, ecotourism, agroforestry, aquaculture, boating, camping and fishing facilities.

Pejar is offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 29.

LAWD lists four grazing opportunities

LAWD has listed three grazing opportunities in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, as well as a picturesque downsizer’s block on mid-north coast.

Spring Park

The historic Spring Park, established in 1872 by Jim Tunney, is being offered for sale by current owners Richard and Elizabeth Westmacott after 37 years.

Named after the springs that provided the stock with water, the 530ha block is located 21km north of Young and 55km from Cowra.

During their ownership, the Westmacotts have made significant investments to enhance the property’s operations.

“We have undertaken soil conservation work, planted hundreds of trees, and built the property up to the highly productive operation it is today, which is equally suited to any combination of sheep, cattle or cropping enterprises.”

Rated to support 13.4DSE per hectare, the vendors are conservatively managing a 1620 head Merino flock on improved perennial grass, lucerne and clover pastures.

Previously, the property was running 80 cows alongside a sheep breeding enterprise.

The gently undulating country benefits from well-draining, mostly red-brown earth soils with granite outcrops.

Around 90 percent (479ha) of Spring Park is arable with the 2023 cropping program comprising 25ha of under sown grazing wheat plus 35ha of barley.

The holding is securely watered by 17 dams, natural springs and watercourses, with groundwater available via an unequipped bore.

Improvements include a six-bedroom stone homestead (circa 1888), a new four-stand shearing shed, a machinery shed, steel sheep yards, cattle yards and three grain silos with 190 tonnes of capacity.

Spring Park is being offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 23.

The historic Spring Park, established in 1872 by Jim Tunney, is being offered for sale by current owners Richard and Elizabeth Westmacott after 37 years.

Rosemont

The 825ha Rosemont is a well-appointed livestock breeding and grazing opportunity benefited by 732mm of annual rainfall.

Located 8km from Golspie and 36km from Crookwell, it is suited to pasture and crop production.

The country rises from fertile creek flats through to arable slopes and grazing hillsides.

The enterprise is currently growing improved and native pastures and running 1400 ewes and 60 cows and calves.

The fit-for-purpose operational improvements to support sheep and cattle enterprises include a four-stand shearing shed, steel sheep and cattle yards, a shed and two silos with 60 tonnes of grain capacity.

Rosemount is listed for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 30.

Oakdale

With a long history of cattle and sheep breeding, the 525ha Oakdale is well suited to wool production.

Located 22km to Yass and 91km to Canberra, the improved, undulating pastures can comfortably support 4250 DSE.

Situated in a 682mm annual average rainfall region, Oakdale is watered by dams with extensive catchments and two creeks.

Improvements include a six-bedroom home, a two-stand shearing shed, steel sheep yards, steel cattle yards and numerous sheds.

Oakdale has been listed for $6.5m.

The River Run

Picturesque coastal cattle country without any improvements is attracting strong interest from downsizers, particularly western graziers chasing high rainfall.

The 317ha The River Run is a cattle breeding and fattening block with 5km of Ellenborough River frontage, one hour from Port Macquarie, on NSW mid-north coast.

The vendor is currently backgrounding more than 350 trade steers ranging from 300kg to 480kg, but previously ran 200 cows and calves.

The country ranges from rich river flats and rolling hills with a combination of red and brown earthy loams and grey and red clay subsoils.

Water is sourced from the Ellenborough River, the Long and Mistake Creeks and 12 dams, in a 1337mm average annual rainfall region.

The River Run will be auctioned on November 15 by LAWD agents Mark Mudford and Daniel McCulloch.

The 317ha The River Run is a cattle breeding and fattening block with 5km of Ellenborough River frontage

Qld’s Ardentrive reoffered as three holdings

A diverse southern Queensland aggregation has been listed for sale as three separate holdings after passing in at auction for $10 million.

The 3396ha Ardentrive, 25km south of Roma, is suited to finishing, backgrounding and breeding, with grass, grain, fodder and bunk options.

As a whole, vendors Peter and Karen Hancock have backgrounded and finished more than 2000 head of cattle through to feeder weights.

Nutrien Harcourts agent Darryl Langton said the three blocks had attracted good individual enquiry:

Ardentrive

Listed for $7.9m, the 1796ha Ardentrive is 25km south of Roma and is currently operating as a 500 head Wagyu breeding enterprise. Around 600ha of the flat, deep red loams are in a grain, fodder and silage cropping rotation.

Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, two cattle yards, numerous sheds, 4500 tonnes of stored silage and a 65t molasses system.

Edenhope

The 947ha Edenhope has been listed for $5.52m. Situated 25km south of Roma, the backgrounding and finishing block can run 280 backgrounders. The undulating deep red loams to Bungil Creek flats have been established with buffel grass.

Water is supplied by a bore and three dams. The infrastructure includes a three-bedroom cottage, numerous sheds, and steel cattle yards.

Maffra

Most of the 653ha Maffra is farmed and planted to a mix of barley and forage oats. Listed for $3.28m, and located 23km south of Roma, around 120ha is developed to improved pastures and buffel grass.

It is watered by a bore and three dams and features steel cattle yards.