THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of recently completed sales and properties that have failed to sell at auction and that are now listed for sale, and a separate item on significant new listings.

• Fletcher family secures trophy NSW aggregation
• Dubbo producer expands with Mount Nombi
• Coddingtons offload western NSW grazing holdings
• Wallumbilla’s Ridgelands sells after auction

Prominent sheepmeat processor Roger Fletcher has bought the Darriwell aggregation near Parkes

Fletcher family secures trophy NSW aggregation

Prominent red meat processor Roger Fletcher and family have secured a trophy aggregation in New South Wales’ Central West for a sum believed to be in excess of $43 million.

The 8828ha Darriwell Aggregation is a cropping and large livestock enterprise adjoining the Trundle township, 50km from Parkes and 70km from Forbes.

Elders agents Chris Malone was unable to disclose the name of the buyer or the price paid, however local sources have told Beef Central that Mr Fletcher was the successful purchaser.

The Fletchers are a private, family-owned company that run Fletcher International Exports, an integrated processor and exporter of lamb and sheep meat products.

Mr Malone said considering the nature of the asset, strong interest came from both farming family entities and institutional investors.

“Given Darriwell’s scale and productivity, the season and the inclusion of crops, it was an opportunity not to be missed,” he said.

In recent years, nearby undeveloped land has sold for between $3900/ha ($1600/ac) and $4700/ha ($1900/ac). If that is the case, Darriwell should have commanded at least $5000/ha ($2000/ac) or around $44 million.

The sale included the 2024 cropping program which comprises 1083ha of canola, 2355ha of wheat, and 2500ha of lucerne but no livestock, plant or equipment.

The Darriwell Aggregation was sold by the Jones family.

Since 1958, brothers, Russell, Lloyd and Geoffrey have aggregated and meticulous managed the 19 holdings (some of which are adjoining).

While the three men work together, they run different arms of the mixed farming operation with Lloyd in charge of the cropping, Russell running the Merino stud and Geoffery managing the production of crossbred lambs.

The aggregation has been home to the renowned Darriwell Merino and Poll Merino Studs running 7000 breeding ewes, as well as an award winning 2000 head crossbred lamb enterprise.

The 19 holdings are well watered by numerous dams that have been contoured to catch rain run-off.

The high-quality infrastructure includes four homes, five cottages, 4000 tonnes of grain storage, numerous sheds, three shearing sheds and four sheep yards.

Dubbo producer expands with Mount Nombi

Dubbo primary producer Eric Sharwood has paid more than $18 million to expand with a blue-ribbon mixed farming opportunity on the fringe of the renowned Liverpool Plains in northern New South Wales.

The 2842ha Mount Nombi is located 15km from Mullaley, halfway between Coonabarabran and Gunnedah.

It was offloaded by the Singapore-based Silverstrand investment fund due to a change of direction, after three years of ownership.

Mount Nombi was listed in September last year as part of the larger 4942ha Wyuna Aggregation.

Following an expressions of interest campaign, 2100ha were carved off and sold to neighbours, with the remainder aggregated to form the new Mount Nombi landholding which was subsequently offered to the market in May.

Almost half of the property, spanning 1400ha, is developed to dryland cropping with the mostly self-mulching basalt soils growing winter and summer crops (cereals, oilseeds, chickpeas and sorghum).

The 2024 program consists of 300ha of canola, 320ha of wheat, 200ha of barley and 100ha of chickpeas.

The balance of the country is used for cattle and sheep breeding and finishing, with the vendors currently running 737 head of mixed cattle.

Water is secured from three equipped bores, as well as a number of creeks and dams.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom (circa 1904) home, a two-bedroom cottage, workers accommodation, cattle and sheep yards, sheds and 2500 tonnes of grain storage.

Mount Nombi, pictured below, has potential for carbon offset and biodiversity pursuits.

The sale was handled by LAWD agents Col Medway and George Barton.

Coddingtons offload western NSW grazing holdings

Coddington Uardry principals Graham and Susan Coddington have sold their renowned grazing properties in north western New South Wales to local interests.

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

Elders agent Brian Mcaneney was unable to disclose the buyers or the price paid, however when the holding was listed in early October, it was offered with a $8.45 million price tag including 144ML of water entitlements.

Under the management of the Coddington Uardry Poll Merino Stud, the well-known sheep breeders ran a mix of Merino, shedding sheep and cattle operations during their eight years of ownership.

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

Elders agent Brian Mcaneney said Mundiwa and Twin Rivers were 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,” he said.

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.

Mundiwa and Twin Rivers have a 30km Culgoa River frontage and a 26km Birrie River frontage. The country 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.

Wallumbilla’s Ridgelands sells after auction

Prime growing and finishing Wallumbilla cattle country in southern Queensland has sold after auction for between $7 million and $8 million.

Offered for sale by Matt and Jess Morton, the 1739ha Ridgelands is located 29km north of Wallumbilla and 65km from Roma.

The property was passed in at $7m on an opening vendor’s bid and sold afterwards to a local family seeking expansion.

TopX agent Carl Warren noted a cautious buyer sentiment, saying the FOMO (Fear of missing out) and the market peaks had gone.

When Ridgelands was listed in September, it was destocked and carrying a large body of dry feed.

The undulating country features brigalow, belah and bottle tree scrub to the eastern boundary and box, sandalwood, ironbark and pine to the south.

During their ownership, the Mortons had been conservatively running 300 cows and calves and retaining heifers for joining, as well as seasonal trade cattle.

The property is watered by a bore and seven dams, supported by 609mm of annual average rainfall.

Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom executive style home with exceptional views, numerous sheds, two cattle yards, horse stables and excellent fencing.

Ridgelands is located 29km north of Wallumbilla and 65km from Roma.