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

• Circa $40m expected for historic southern QLD woolgrowing property
• Drought hedge in south-west NSW
• Neighbouring NT properties listed for $18m
• NSW western grazing returns to market
• Grazing on Canberra’s doorstep
• Former NRL boss offloads high rainfall grazing
• Western land lease sale will end 95 years ownership
• EOI for Victorian boutique abattoir

Warroo near Inglewood has been under single family ownership since settlement, and is expected to fetch circa $40 million.

Wool industry pioneer Warroo Station hits market for first time in 174 years

A Southern Queensland property with a distinguished position in the pastoral history of Australia is being offered for sale publicly for the first time in 174 years.

Located between Goondiwindi, Warwick and Stanthorpe, Warroo Station is 40km from Inglewood and within three hours drive of Brisbane.

Across 22 Freehold titles, the 14,435ha station, established by wool industry pioneer Frederick Bracker in 1849, is a unique offering as one of the premium mixed grazing assets located on the Southern Downs of Queensland. Warroo has been under single family ownership since settlement, and is expected to fetch circa $40 million.

Colliers Agribusiness manager Phillip Kelly said after managing the station for more than 120 years, the Goodrich Family who took over the property in 1911, had made the tough decision to sell to pursue other interests.

“Warroo offers purchasers scale of operation, supported by very good infrastructure, and established, proven production,” Mr Kelly said.

“The property has been a generational grazing enterprise since settlement and it is rare to have such a large-scale, quality and proven asset come to the market in southern Queensland.

“Purchasers will benefit from having the opportunity to secure a high-quality sheep flock and cattle herd along with full station plant and equipment under the sale.

Colliers Head of Agribusiness Rawdon Briggs said the opportunity to secure a large-scale premium sheep and beef cattle enterprise on the Southern Downs of Queensland, such as Warroo Station, was unique.

“Frederick Bracker made a huge contribution to the development of wool-growing in Australia and it’s reported that he was the first man to start stud breeding in Queensland through Warroo Station,” Mr Briggs said.

“Warroo has an industry leading sheep and wool reputation and under the Primerino Program produced the first sub 12 micron wool in history. Production of quality sheep and wool continues at the station today,” he said.

“Beef cattle have, since settlement, played an important role, with the station today producing high quality Red Angus cattle.”

Warroo is endowed with significant stock water supply including 70+ earth dams supported by 20+ permanent and seasonal springs extruding from a number of gullies and soaks.

Bracker Creek provides seasonal flows and contains a number of larger waterholes along with the ability to bring underground streams to the surface via excavation.

“The development of Warroo Station has included paddock subdivisions that provide for ease of management with in excess of 70 main grazing paddocks across different land types,” Mr Briggs said.

Phillip Kelly said a well-maintained circa late 1800s historical homestead offering functionality, formality and fun with various renovations over time was also offered as part of the sale.

The homestead has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen/dining, large office, several formal and social rooms split across two main sections, positioned in a landscaped country garden. The homestead area includes a floodlit tennis court and in-ground pool.

Warroo also has extensive infrastructure to allow for accommodation of a manager and staff, facilitate all livestock handling, conduct repairs and maintenance and storage of all critical plant, equipment and produce.

In addition to the homestead there is a manager’s residence plus three staff cottages and shearer/backpacker accommodation for an additional 16 people. There’s also a large shed with skillion offering machinery storage and workshop as well as several other storage and hay sheds with fodder/grain storages.

Warroo Station is offered for sale – inclusive of selected plant machinery, the homestead, staff cottages and livestock – by expression of interest closing on 16 November.

https://youtu.be/_LHwSAadHPg

Drought hedge in south-west NSW

More than $20 million is anticipated for a high-performing grazing opportunity in New South Wales’ south-west.

The 2085ha Mt Oberne Aggregation is situated in the tightly held Oberne Valley region, 20km south-east of Tarcutta and 70km from Wagga Wagga.

Vendors Paul and Rachel Graham from Bongongo, near Adjungbilly, have aggregated the holding, which comprises four adjoining properties, over the past 13 years.

LAWD director Col Medway said Mt Oberne was the ultimate drought hedge.

“It is a unique property given its confinement feeding capacity for both sheep and cattle and the underutilised water entitlements from the Tarcutta River,” he said.

“There are seven undercover feeding sheds for 8000 sheep or lambs, and cattle feed bunkers that provide finishing drought feeding options.”

Around 67 percent (1413ha) of the aggregation is used for grazing with the balance consisting of timber and remnant vegetation.

A strong fertiliser history and the development of improved pastures underpins the sheep and cattle enterprise.

The holding has a 20,000DSE carrying capacity and is currently running self-replacing Merinos and crossbred ewes, as well as cattle breeding and trading.

Around 400ha of arable creek flats could be cropped.

Water is supplied by a 194ML water entitlement (with scope to develop spray irrigation infrastructure), Tarcutta Creek frontage, 37 dams and four bores.

Other improvements include several residences, various sheds, three cattle yards, four sheep yards and a six-stand wool shed.

The Mt Oberne Aggregation is being offered for sale in one line or as separate assets by expression of interest closing on November 9. The sale includes 2500 tonnes of silage.

Containment feeding facility for sheep on Mt Oberne aggregation

Neighbouring NT properties listed for $18m

Around $18 million is anticipated for Peter and Donna Schubert’s 6520ha mixed grazing/farming opportunity in the Northern Territory’s Top End.

The 3917ha Napier Valley and 2603ha Jarrahdale are situated 30km south of Katherine with sealed road frontage providing year-round market access.

The aggregation comprises four adjoining improved freehold properties capable of backgrounding 2000 dry cattle, with 3000ha of developed country for both grazing and hay production.

Benefitting from 1000mm annual rainfall (mainly October through to March), Napier Valley and Jarrahdale are positioned within a fertile area noted for established agriculture and horticulture businesses.

The well-maintained properties neighbour a watermelon farm, and Andrew Gray Land & Livestock principal Andrew Gray said this presented the incoming purchaser with cropping and horticulture diversification opportunities.

The infrastructure across both holdings includes multiple dwellings, an office, numerous sheds and stockyards.

Eight bores supply water and the existing 42ML ground water extraction licence is currently in the process of being lifted to 490ML.

Napier Valley and Jarrahdale are offered for sale via private treaty on a walk-in walk out basis, including an extensive list of plant and equipment and 2000 store cattle.

NSW western grazing returns to market

Coddington Uardry principals Graham and Susan Coddington have relisted their renowned grazing properties in New South Wales’ north-west for $8.45 million.

In 2019, the Coddingtons decided to scale back their operations and offered Mundiwa and Twin Rivers to the market after three years of ownership, but the properties failed to sell.

Located 43km north-west of Brewarrina and 100km from Bourke, the 14,827ha Mundiwa and Twin Rivers Station have returned as a contiguous landholding of Western Lands Lease and freehold titles.

Under the management of the Coddington Uardry Poll Merino Stud, the well-known sheep breeders have run a mixture of Merino, shedding sheep and cattle operations.

The properties can support a 4000 head sheep breeding and finishing enterprise, as well as opportunistic beef trading and agistment.

Today, the station is home to their most recent venture, the Coddington SheepMaster Stud which the Coddingtons will retain.

Elders agent Brian Mcaneney said Mundiwa and Twin Rivers are known for their high carrying capacity and ability to finish stock.

“The country provides exceptional feed following seasonal rain events and an abundance of feed during drier seasonal conditions.”

The properties feature a balance of soil types consisting of self-mulching clays and the areas grey and red loams.

There are 323ha of cultivation consent, with scope to increase the arable area subject to approval. Included in the sale is a 126ML water entitlement and an 18ML stock and domestic water licence.

Mundiwa and Twin Rivers have a 30km Culgoa River frontage and a 26km Birrie River frontage. It benefits from seasonal flood out events, with water supply supported by a well-developed reticulated water system and 15 earthen tanks.

Under the current management, there has been a significant investment in new fencing.

Other infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home that overlooks the Culgoa River, an eight-stand shearing shed, two steel cattle yards, two steel sheep yards, a machinery shed and workshop.

Grazing on Canberra’s doorstep

Nicola Stokes is scaling back her Bungendore grazing operations and offloading the 679ha Abbotsford Farm located on Canberra’s doorstep.

The productive and well-appointed livestock breeding and grazing property is situated on the eastern fall, 13km from Bungendore and 40km from Canberra.

LAWD director Col Medway described Abbotsford Farm as a turnkey operation.

“It has been meticulously developed through a targeted investment program focussed on enhancing land productivity, operational efficiencies and superior accommodation.”

The vendor has invested significant capital expenditure into the property including 21km of new fencing and a newly constructed home and fully equipped, four-stand shearing shed.

The creek flats rise to arable undulating land and timbered grazing rated to carry 6300 dry sheep equivalents, with the current livestock enterprise running 2400 Merino ewes.

Around 150ha have been sown to grazing crops including oats and brassica with the balance growing native perennial grass and clover pastures.

Benefited by a temperate climatic zone, the property is characterised by cold winters and warm summers and is watered by a number of dams supported by the seasonal Sandhills Creek.

Other infrastructure includes sheep yards, steel cattle yards and a machinery shed.

Abbotsford Farm is being offered for sale by expressions of interest closing on November 9.

Abbotsford Farm infrastructure includes sheep yards, steel cattle yards and a machinery shed.

Former NRL boss offloads high rainfall grazing

Former NRL chief executive officer and footballer Neil Whittaker is hoping to achieve more than $5 million for his high rainfall grazing property on the renowned Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

The 408ha Clovelly is a livestock breeding and finishing platform suitable for both cattle and sheep. It is rated to run 3900 dry sheep equivalents.

Clovelly is located 5km from Golspie and 25km from Crookwell and features creek flats rising to arable slopes and grazing hillsides. Around 154ha are sown to improved pastures and crops.

Water is supplied by dams and double frontage to the Bolong River and Mianga Creek.

Improvements include 15km of new fencing, a 2-stand shearing shed, new steel sheep yards, numerous sheds and a 30-tonne silo.

LAWD director Col Medway is handling the sale of Clovelly by expression of interest closing on October 26.

The 408ha Clovelly is a livestock breeding and finishing platform suitable for both cattle and sheep.

Western land lease sale will end 95 years ownership

The New South Wales Western Lands Lease Stoney Ridge has been listed for sale for offers above $1.8 million bare of stock.

The 3315ha are located 50km south of Brewarrina and 150km north of Nyngan.

It has been held by Mark McMullan’s family for 95 years and is likely to achieve between $543/ha to $568/ha.

Described as good quality country, it comprises 50 percent medium to open timbered grazing with heavier grey and black soils adjoining the Bogan River.

The balance is more naturally open with a beneficial mix of timbers, including myall, whitewood, leopardwood and rosewood, with lighter grey to chocolate soils.

The country grows a mix of grasses and herbages and is rated to carry 1500 ewes or 150 cows in an average season, or 2000 ewes or 200 cows in better seasons.

Stoney Ridge has 4km of Bogan River frontage, a large waterhole that has never run dry, four dams and two lagoons.

Moree Real Estate agent Dianne Kelly is handling the sale.

EOI for Victorian boutique abattoir

In Victoria’s south-west, the Castle family has listed its boutique abattoir offering the widest range of species licence of any abattoir in Australia.

The 283ha Castle Estate is located on the banks of Lake Purrumbete near Camperdown, described as some of the country’s most fertile agricultural land.

The Castle family has been farming the land since 1851 over seven generations.

Castle Estate is one of three Victorian abattoirs licenced to process organically certified beef and lamb and is the state’s only organic certified pork processor.

Over the past decade, the family-owned and operated facility has diversified from beef, lamb, goat and pork processing to buffalo, alpaca and llamas and more recently wild game, including kangaroo, venison and rabbit.

On a single daily shift capacity, Castle Estate can process 75 tonnes a week – 400 small stock (lambs and goats) or kangaroos, 75 cattle and 200 venison.

Managing director Steven Castle said the accreditation and licencing was a mammoth undertaking.

The business has recently gained Tier 2 export status for both human consumption and pet food and treats, accessing premium export markets.

Mr Castle said the vertically integrated, paddock-to-plate enterprise is supported by a modern e-commerce platform.

“The site is ideal for full vertical integration, with the farmland attached to the facility perfectly suited for cattle, lamb and other primary production.”

Mr Castle said the family was committed to finding a buyer who would benefit from the opportunities the facility offered that larger abattoirs could not.

“Smaller meat producers are being turned away from larger abattoirs and there is still a huge need for their consignments to be processed.”

The sale of Castle Estate is being handled by Ben Craw from Oxley Capital Partners via an expressions of interest process.