THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of properties that have returned to the market, and two separate articles on interesting new listings and recent sales across the country.

• Fairview, SA
• Willawong, NSW
• Castle Hill, NSW
• Braemar, NSW
• Brooklyn Aggregation, Qld
• Melaleuca, Qld

Fairview, SA

One of the largest grazing properties in South Australia’s south-east has returned to the market to take advantage of improved market sentiment due to rebounding livestock prices, stabilising interest rates and favourable seasonal conditions.

The 4326ha Fairview, near Lucindale, 42km west of Naracoorte, comprises six contiguous properties – Old Fairview, Lantara, Wombalano, Keys, Watson’s and Mickan’s – aggregated over 35 years by the overseas owners.

In August last year, Colliers agents Jesse Manuel and Tim Altschwager were appointed to sell the property via expressions of interest.

Mr Manuel attributed the failed campaign on dampened buyer confidence.

“In the second half of 2023, the market was at the juncture of several consecutive interest rises and the sharp decline in livestock values,” he said.

“With strengthening prices and excellent rainfall, market confidence has rebounded quickly and the RBA’s recent decision to leave interest rates unchanged was also a welcome announcement.”

In terms of price expectations, Mr Manuel said since the spring marketing campaign, the vendor’s original expectations have now eased.

“It will be interesting to watch how the market responds to the more stable interest rate environment and improved stock prices.”

Having run conservative stocking rates over the past few years during extensive pasture improvement and soil redevelopment, farm manager Marc Dupree emphasised the significant potential to increase the property’s overall carrying capacity now that it is mostly back in production.

Featuring flat to gently undulating grazing country growing improved pastures, Fairview runs a self-replacing cattle herd of Angus and Angus/Black Simmental cross cows and a mostly Merino ewe flock using Suffolk and Dorset rams.

As well as grazing, there are areas suited to cropping with 130ha planted to barley for a fodder crop.

Situated in a 600mm average annual rainfall region, Fairview benefits from 1053ML of water entitlements for irrigation, with 25ha developed to flood irrigation.

It is also watered by solar and electric bores, with underground water pumped to header tanks and reticulated to troughs.

Improvements include four homes, three shearing sheds, extensive hay and grain storage, multiple sheep and cattle yards, a large workshop, horse stables and implement sheds.

The selling agents are reportedly in continuing discussions with a diverse pool of prospective buyers and are inviting prospective purchasers to submit offers for all or parts of Fairview, or alternatively on a walk-in walk-out basis (including land and improvements, water entitlements, livestock and plant and equipment).

Willawong, NSW

A premium well-watered, mixed farm of scale within easy reach of Canberra and Sydney has been listed for $51.9 million after failing to sell following an expressions of interest campaign.

The 3838ha Willawong, near Murringo on the New South Wales south-west slopes, was aggregated over 35 years by the late Dr Jane Wallace, a University of Sydney academic and passionate farmer from Camden.

The property offers the flexibility and scale to produce a range of commodities, from fine wool to cereals, prime lamb and beef.

The improved pastures can comfortably run 40,000DSE and is currently stocked with 1000 trade cattle, 4000 wethers and 9500 joined Merino and crossbred ewes and replacements, turning off trade and store lambs.

Around 2888ha (84 percent) has been sown to improved perennial grass and clover pastures, lucerne and winter crops (including canola, wheat and barley), some of which is used for fodder.

LAWD senior director Col Medway said it had been a wonderful summer on the south-west slopes and producers are flat out sowing early grazing crops.

“Conditions are vastly different to those that were forecast for 2024 in spring last year and livestock markets have rebounded from when we initially offered Willawong for sale,” he said.

“The excellent season has boosted the productive improved pastures that cover 83 percent of the property and are capable of sustaining a stocking rate of 12 DSE/ha.”

Mr Medway expects the more positive sentiment to be reflected in the market inquiry from those seeking highly productive farms that can be used for livestock and/or dryland cropping.

Willawong comes with a 168ML groundwater irrigation licence and is securely watered by five bores through a reticulated water system, as well as three creeks and 85 dams.

Improvements include six homes (including a circa 1850s stone homestead), sheep and cattle yards, three woolsheds, multiple machinery and hay sheds and silos.

Willawong’s The improved pastures can comfortably run 40,000DSE and is currently stocked with 1000 trade cattle, 4000 wethers and 9500 joined Merino and crossbred ewes and replacements, turning off trade and store lambs.

Castle Hill, NSW

Merino stud breeders Steve and Liz Phillips have reduced the price on their blue-ribbon livestock and cropping portfolio in New South Wales’ central west.

Located 8km from Baldry, 22km from Yeoval and 44km from Parkes, the 1758ha Castle Hill has been listed for $15 million, well below the $18m plus it was anticipated to achieve in July last year.

Castle Hill comprises three holdings (Castle Hill, Mountain View and Fairy Mount) aggregated over 23 years.

Described as versatile and productive, it is equally suited to any combination of mixed dryland cropping and livestock breeding and grazing.

The vendors, together with Steve Phillips’ parents Don and Thea, operate the highly regarded Yarrawonga Merino Stud and a large-scale enterprise across a number of holdings in the Harden, Yass, Monaro and Gundagai districts.

LAWD senior director Col Medway said buyers looking to secure a premium livestock and cropping asset will find Castle Hill compelling value.

“That price equates to $8532 per hectare or $932 per DSE (bare), making it the best value high rainfall mixed farming land on the market.”

“Most of Castle Hill is highly arable which provides the incoming purchaser with the flexibility to choose a mix of enterprises,” Mr Medway said.

Capable of running 16,000 DSE, the property is currently stocked with 4500 Merino ewes and 250 Angus cows.

The creek flats rise to gently undulating grazing country, of which 962ha (74 percent) is considered arable for cropping purposes or suitable for the direct drilling of pastures.

Mr Phillips said Castle Hill was a standout with reliable annual rainfall and strong red soils.

“Our focus has been on growing wheat, oats and canola crops to graze through winter before locking them up for grain recovery,” he said.

“The added potential to expand the cropping area or maintain the current focus on livestock production makes it a very attractive prospect.”

A moderate elevation of 440m above sea level provides an excellent climatic base for winter crop and improved pasture production.

Water is supplied by several bores through an extensive reticulated water system supported by 36 dams and 5km of frontage to the seasonal Rocky Ponds Creek.

A large-scale Landcare tree planting program in the 1990s has enhanced the landscape and provides protection for livestock.

Over the past 22 years, the Phillips family has invested in extensive fencing and infrastructure.

There are two homes, 445 tonnes of grain storage, two shearing sheds and sheep yards, cattle yards and numerous sheds.

Castle Hill is being offered for sale as a whole or as separate holdings.

Described as versatile and productive, Castle Hill is equally suited to any combination of mixed dryland cropping and livestock breeding and grazing.

Braemar, NSW

A productive mixed farming opportunity in the renowned New England region of New South Wales has returned to the market with a $17 million to $19 million price guide.

The 1870ha Braemar, 35km north of Tamworth, is owned by rural communications specialist Robbie Sefton and husband Alistair Yencken who are downsizing.

Inglis Rural Property and Christies International Real Estate have been appointed to sell Braemar via expressions of interest closing on April 23.

Braemar was purchased in 2007 and has been extensively developed to the point where the business is now performing in the top two percent of regional benchmarking enterprises.

The beef, wool and prime lamb operation is conservatively carrying 750 cows and 15,000 winter DSE together with 300ha to 400ha of dryland cash cropping annually.

Last year about 50 percent of the property was sown to lucerne, canola and cereals on fertile red basalt soils.

Inglis Rural Property agent Sam Triggs said Braemar was not only beautifully presented, but also a high-yielding agricultural enterprise.

“It represents genuine value for money, particularly when compared with similar sized properties in southern New South Wales and areas of Victoria.”

Braemar could also attract interest from poultry farmers because it is situated in a relatively new poultry zone where an increasing number of chicken broiler sheds are being built to support Baiada’s abattoir in Tamworth.

Braemar has been drought-proofed through a sophisticated bore water system that supplies all 42 paddocks. In addition, there are 28 dams, six bores and dual frontage to the seasonal Greenhatch and Dead Horse Gully Creeks.

The vendors have invested extensively in land development, prioritising the wellbeing of the soils and local flora and fauna through the retention of biodiversity corridors.

The principal residence is an historic renovated homestead dating from 1900. There are a further four refurbished residences on the property, including a historic Cobb & Co coach house.

The fit-for-purpose infrastructure includes a five-stand shearing shed, undercover sheep yards, cattle yards, shedding, a 750-tonne grain storage and a 250-tonne cement grain bunker.

Brooklyn Aggregation, Qld

The well-located Brooklyn Aggregation on Queensland’s Southern Downs has returned to the market after failing to sell during the COVID lockdown.

The 6092ha holding, 50 minutes west of Warwick, is suitable for cattle, sheep and goats.

The picturesque breeder country comprises three properties – 1178ha Brooklyn, 2849ha Cooinoo and 2071ha Oakey Creek – amalgamated by the Frith family over ten years of ownership.

Open range areas of soft traprock grazing country with scattered timber and timber belts run down to creek flats capable of carrying 700 breeders or 11,000DSE.

Ray White Rural agent Jez McNamara said the Brooklyn Aggregation has experienced a good season and is conservatively running 550 cows and calves.

There is 81ha of ex-cultivation which have potential for agricultural development and expansion.

In recent years, 90 percent of the internal fences, including exclusion fencing, has been renewed.

The 620mm annual average rainfall is supported by 45 dams, two bores and permanent and semi-permanent waterholes in the Macintyre Brook, the Oakey and Branch Creeks, as well as several small creeks.

Additional income will be sourced from four wind turbines which are being constructed this year. Their projected income is around $100,000 per annum.

Infrastructure includes a number of homes and cottages, three shearing sheds, three sheep yards and two cattle yards.

The Brooklyn Aggregation is expected to appeal to producers and investors from Toowoomba.

Mr McNamara is handling the expressions of interest campaign for Brooklyn (as a whole, three separate holdings or on a walk-in walk out basis) closing on March 27.

Melaleuca, Qld

Lisa McKinlay’s Fitzroy River grazing opportunity has been listed for sale via offers to purchase.

The 3234ha Melaleuca is located 30km north-west of Gogango and 95km west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

The river frontage country rises to undulating and heavily grassed higher areas comprising mostly mixed scrub.

The property has 3km of Fitzroy River frontage and 5km of Melaleuca Creek frontage. Permanent natural water is supplied by both and supported by five dams.

The newly constructed Riverslea Bridge will allow all year access to the Rookwood Weir which is under construction and due to be operational early next year.

Ray White Rural agent Richard Brosnan said Melaleuca was traditionally a grazing property, but its access to water may generate interest for its future potential.

“Melaleuca lends itself to further development. An area of rich alluvial scrub soils could be placed under irrigation to grow a variety of high value crops or pastures,” he said.

“The development of the Rookwood Weir is changing the local landscape with investment committed for a large-scale macadamia plantation and a proposal for a large feedlot,” Mr Brosnan said.

The 3234ha Melaleuca is located 30km north-west of Gogango and 95km west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.