The Oaks at Dalyup. Photo: Colliers

A LOCAL farming family has come to light as the buyers of The Oaks, a 5313ha mixed farm 40km north-west of Esperance, Western Australia.

The $53-million sale of The Oaks by the Russell family was reported in July last year, and Stott and Charmaine Redman and family of Redman Farms, Hopetoun have this week been named as the buyer.

The sale price exceeded the asking price, and has set a regional record for arable land at more than $13,250.

Colliers agents Rawdon Briggs, Gabi Mewburn, and Duncan McCulloch, and AWN’s Rowan Spittle handled the sale.

Arable land accounts for 3998ha of The Oaks, which is accessible via the South Coast Highway and Gibson‑Dalyup Road.

The Oaks operates on a 70:30 cropping-to-pasture ratio, and has undergone deep ripping to 500mm on more than 80 percent of its arable country.

“The new owner has no plans to continue a livestock enterprise, as he will focus on a full row-cropping conversion of the balance of the property to this very strongly supported sector in WA,” the agents said in a statement.

Average yields for the property include 1.5-2.5 tonnes/ha for canola and 3.5-4.5t/ha for wheat.

The property has been running 4421 Merino and 921 crossbred ewes, with rotational grazing on perennial pastures.

Infrastructure includes three dwellings, a six-stand shearing shed, a 34m × 38m machinery shed, 30 dams with extensive waterlines, sheep yards, fencing, and laneways.

Source: Colliers, AWN