Angus bulls in the yards at Dalkeith

A LARGE-SCALE, well-developed Angus cattle breeding and backgrounding enterprise will test the market for quality Maranoa grazing country in western Queensland in coming weeks.

JLL directors of Agribusiness Clayton Smith and Chris Holgar have been appointed to manage the sale of the 15,411ha Dalkeith Station, situated in the Flinton/Teelba region east of St George on the western Darling Downs.

Mr Holgar said buyers were expected from predominantly larger families and corporate cattle producers seeking scale, security and geographic diversity, or new investors looking to enter into the industry with a productive running start.

Featuring extensive areas of improved buffel grass and established cultivation, Dalkeith offers an opportunity to purchase a large-scale turn-key breeding and backgrounding enterprise.

Farming plant and equipment as well as 1100 Angus cross cows, 500 PTIC first calf heifers, 300 recently joined heifers and 80 working Angus Bulls are available to be included in the sale.

Located about 400km west of Brisbane, Dalkeith is a productive pastoral property underpinned by practical operational infrastructure, secure stock water resources and highly productive land and soil types.

“Since being acquired by the current owners in 2012, Dalkeith has been progressively developed with significant investment made into pasture improvement, regrowth clearing, exclusion fencing and livestock handling and feeding infrastructure,” JLL’s Clayton Smith said.

“In addition, about 1850ha is arable, providing further flexibility and scope to grow grain and fodder crops. Another 1500ha previously farmed has been sown to improved pasture,” he said.

The property also features two sets of cattle yards strategically located to minimise stock movements and an extensive water reticulation system from two artesian bores is complemented by overland flow dams and waterholes in Bidgell Creek, providing good water security.

The estimated carrying capacity of 2000 breeders was confirmed in the recent 2018/19 drought with these numbers held, plus productively growing out all progeny to feeder age on crops, Mr Smith said.

“Dalkeith offers a very attractive opportunity to acquire what locally is considered as a large stand-alone breeding and finishing business,” he said.

Second set of yards on Dalkeith

Dalkeith was a major vendor in the record-breaking AuctionPlus online cattle sale (week ending 30 October 2020), selling 800-plus mixed sex Angus and Angus cross weaners for an average return of $1550.

Their station-bred mothers are due to calve in the coming summer and be included in the sale of Dalkeith along with 80 working commercial Angus bulls.

The homestead complex features a manager’s residence and two cottages plus worker’s quarters, as well as various operational hay, grain and machinery sheds, an airstrip and seed silage/ grain bunker and seed grain storage.

• Dalkeith is offered for sale by Expression of Interest closing Thursday 10 December on a walk-in-walk-out basis including nominated livestock and plant and equipment.