AFTER a quiet 12 months in Central Australia, there has been movement on several tightly held cattle stations in the region, with the Muenster family trading goats for cattle and the Melbourne-based Caason Group bowing out of the beef industry.

Dan and Sally Muenster have paid $28 million walk-in walk-out (including 4800 head of cattle) for Yambah Station, a well-developed, large-scale breeding property north of Alice Springs.

It is the couple’s first foray into the Northern Territory, but the purchase comes as no surprise.

After selling two New South Wales properties earlier this year, the cashed-up couple told agents they had set their sights on a beef enterprise in the Northern Territory or Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

• In March, after seven years ownership, the Muensters sold the 2370ha Marong, a Riverina goat operations hub boasting extensive Forest Creek frontage, for $15 million. Suited to breeding and finishing, as well as irrigated cropping and pastures, the holding is located near Conargo, 38km from Deniliquin or two hours from Albury and Wagga Wagga.
• In February, after 14 years of ownership, the Muensters sold the 29,200ha New South Wales western land lease Congararra, where they ran a large goat trading business. Located 10km west of Enngonia and 135km north of Bourke, the property sold for a record, but undisclosed price, believed to be around $11 million bare.

When Beef Central contacted Dan Muenster yesterday, he was reluctant to discuss any future plans for the new acquisition.

The 2310sq km Yambah Station is located 60km north of Alice Springs and home to one of Australia’s largest commercial Shorthorn herds.

The operation has a 5000 head carrying capacity and is also understood to be producing Wagyu cross herd bulls out of Shorthorn heifers.

Boasting double bitumen frontage to the Stuart and Plenty Highways, Yambah is tick-free, blue tongue-free and naturally suited to organic production.

It has been held by the Gorey family for more than 85 years and was listed by Aaron and Kerina Gorey, Range View (Glenmorgan, Queensland) back in 2018.

The water infrastructure features 44 watering points, comprising 21 dams and waterholes and 23 bores.

At 22 of those bore locations, the Goreys have drilled and equipped two adjacent holes to strengthen water security and aid management – equipping one with a diesel motor and the other with a solar or wind powered submersible.

Antony Glynn from Central Australian Rural Property who handled the sale was overseas this week and also unable for comment.

Aileron and Oolloo Farm, NT

In other Central Australian property developments, a large scale, turnkey beef breeding and farming opportunity in the tightly held Alice Springs region is anticipated to make around $50 million on a walk-in walk-out basis, including 6000 head of cattle.

After eight years ownership, the Melbourne Caason Group has announced plans to sell its 4076sq km Aileron Station, 130km north of Alice Springs.

Its more recent purchase, the versatile fodder operation Oolloo Farm, 27km east of the Stuart Highway near Ti Tree and two hours north-east of Alice Springs, is being offloaded after just two years ownership.

The two properties are around 60km apart.

Aileron Station

The organically certified property is running 8500 head of cattle (including 3500 breeders) on buffel, native grasses and herbages. It also offers carbon opportunities.

It comprises 40 percent good mulga country, 35pc flood-out open woodlands, 20pc spinifex and 5pc range country.

Aileron last changed hands in June 2015 when Gary Dann sold it to the Caason Group for $10 million.

Since purchasing the property in 2015, the company has undertaken significant management and property and herd improvement programs.

Watering points have been upgraded and expanded, many of the bores have been converted to solar, there is additional fencing and laneways and an improved pasture program has expanded the grazing areas.

There are 22 bores, 18 dams and five semi-permanent waterholes. Around 35 to 40pc of the property is within a 3km grazing distance from water, with 25pc within a 3km to 5km grazing distance from water.

 

Oolloo Farm

In June 2021, the Caason Group paid $6.1 million for the 1047ha Oolloo Farm, a freehold buffel grazing property and efficient and streamlined fodder production operation.

It is situated in an area considered one of the most controlled growing environments in Australia. With plenty of sunshine and warmth, the growing seasons are longer, growing time is shorter, watering is controlled, minimal weed and pest control is required and biosecurity is optimum.

Two years ago, Oolloo Farm was sold with a 1000 megalitre ground water extraction licence and 154 hectares under six (newly installed) pivots.

Since the purchase, the Caason Group has secured a 3000ML licence and has plans for a further three pivots. This is supported by a ring main water distribution system connected to eight bores and run by high voltage overhead powerlines.

Oolloo Farm is used for drought mitigation, currently supplying Aileron Station with around 5000 tonnes of fodder annually. With additional infrastructure, production could be increased to more than 10,000t.

Danny Thomas and Olivia Thompson from LAWD are handling the sale of Aileron Station and Oolloo Farm which includes 6000 head of mostly Droughtmaster and Black Angus cattle.

The two properties are being offered via an expressions of interest campaign closing on August 9.