THIS week’s property review includes this wrap-up of interesting recent listings in Western Australia and New South Wales, and separate articles on recently listed properties in Queensland, and a wrap-up of recently completed sales.
- RFM’s mid-west WA lists
- Kimberley calf factory heads to auction with 8500 cattle
- WA’s Nallan Station offers grazing, tourism & carbon
- Far west NSW’s Willeila hotly contested
The 6191ha Willara Aggregation is now being offered for private treaty, with $30 million price expectations.
RFM’s mid-west WA lists
Rural Funds Management has listed its mixed grazing and farming asset in the Mid-West region of Western Australia after an expressions of interest campaign failed to secure a sale.
The 6191ha Willara Aggregation is now being offered for private treaty, with $30 million price expectations.
Underpinned by a long-term lease, the three non-adjoining holdings operate as a beef breeding, backgrounding and irrigated and dryland cropping opportunity.
The 1597ha High Hill and 1653ha Willara are located near Badgingarra, within a 5km operating radius of each other, while the 2942ha Petro is a further 85km north along the Brand Highway.
The portfolio is currently leased to Wagyu supplier Stone Axe Pastoral Co for breeding and backgrounding. While the existing lease runs through to 2030, the assets may also be purchased unencumbered.
LAWD director Simon Wilkinson said buyers can purchase the properties separately or together, offering a strong opportunity for locals.
“While the portfolio can be purchased as an institutional scale asset, we expect interest from local farming families looking to expand existing operations.”
High Hill
The 1597ha High Hill is 97 percent arable with significant capital made in upgrading and replacing boundary and internal fencing. Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, cattle yards, numerous sheds and 315-tonnes of grain storage. Three wind towers provide additional income through a renewable energy lease.
Willara
The 1653ha Willara is 99 percent arable and features vermin proof boundary fencing. Water is sourced from six soaks and two bores. Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home, cattle yards, numerous sheds and 550-tonnes of grain storage.
Petro
The 2942ha Petro is 82 percent arable and benefits from dryland and irrigated farming. Five centre pivot irrigators service 200ha, supported by 3080ML of water entitlements. Water is sourced from a soak and six bores. Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, a worker’s cottage, a transportable workers’ quarters, cattle yards and numerous sheds.
Angus cattle on Willara
Kimberley calf factory heads to auction with 8500 cattle
Kimberley calf factory Country Downs will be auctioned as a going concern on March 26, ending more than 20 years of ownership by vendor Kurt Elezovich, who is keen to meet the market.
Located 90km from Broome, on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia’s West Kimberley, the 183,000ha have a potential carrying capacity of 9355 cattle units, with more than 8500 cattle included in the sale.
Elders agent Greg Smith said final numbers will be confirmed with a bang-tail muster conducted prior to settlement.
“The owner will organise a muster after the auction when conditions are suitable, with the buyer invited to attend for the purpose of bang tailing and counting the cattle.”
He said mustered cows will be priced at $850 per head, herd bulls at $2000, heifers at $750, male weaners $450, female weaners at $400 and calves under 100kg liveweight at $150 per head.
The plant and equipment will be valued at $400,000.
Mr Smith described Country Downs as exceptional value, citing its location, scale and reliable rainfall.
“Given its high rainfall and scale, Country Downs is probably some of the best value cattle country in the world.”
“It is attracting strong interest from local buyers, as well as producers from the Northern Territory and eastern states seeking well-priced breeding country.”
Situated on the coastal side of the ranges, Country Downs receives an average annual rainfall of more than 950mm.
Mr Smith said the operation is virtually drought proof.
“Even in the worst wet seasons, Country Downs has received reasonable rainfall with prolific pasture growth and cattle remaining in forward condition.”
The sale includes an approved 233ha area available for cultivation and hay production and permission to sow improved pasture of stylos and wynn cassia on 17,550ha.
Country Downs is watered by 16 equipped bores and two dams servicing 20 watering points.
Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a three-bedroom quarters, cattle yards, sheds, a recently renewed 24hr power system and extensive plant and equipment.
WA’s Nallan Station offers grazing, tourism & carbon
A two-stage expressions of interest campaign is underway for Nallan Station in Western Australia’s Mid West region offering diverse income streams across grazing, tourism and carbon.
The 98,886ha are located 12km north of Cue fronting the Great Northern Highway/Miners Pathway between Mount Magnet and Meekatharra and 390km east of Geraldton.
According to Elders agent Greg Smith, Nallan offers three income streams which could be further developed.
“Nallan runs cattle, is a popular tourism destination and offers a registered and reporting HIR project providing a secure buffer against seasonal conditions and commodity price fluctuations,” he said.
There are 14 different land systems on Nallan providing a good variety of grazing and browse including open mulga, drainage system saltbush and blue bush, as well as softer Wandarrie banks.
Offered with a carrying capacity of 939 cattle units, the walk-in walk-out sale includes 120 mixed-age, mostly Droughtmaster cows and heifers with a percentage of calves at foot, plus three bulls from Bonny Dale Simmental/Angus stud.
The property is watered by 17 equipped bores or wells servicing 26 water points across the property, supported by an average annual rainfall of around 230mm.
Infrastructure includes steel cattle yards, sheep yards, shearing shed and a weaner complex.
Additional infrastructure comprises a near new 24 hour solar power supply, a recently renovated six-bedroom home and two-bedroom cottage, a fully functioning established caravan park, a camp ground and tourist accommodation for up to 14 guests.
Cattle on Nallan
Far west NSW’s Willeila hotly contested
Despite attracting two offers and strong buyer inquiry, Elders will auction Willeila Station in New South Wales’ far west, with expectations it could achieve around $7 million.
The 28,985ha Willeila Station, owned by the Johnstone family for 16 years, is 80km south-east of Broken Hill and 80km from Menindee.
Renowned for sheep and cattle breeding and finishing, Willeila Station is presenting in a healthy state, Elders agent Marty Deacon said.
“The Johnstone family has been a conservative stocker which has resulted in strong stands of native grasses and herbages, even during dry times.”
The vendor estimates the country can run 3500 Dorper breeding ewes and 180 breeding cows.
Mr Deacon reports interest from locals and producers from Victoria, South Australia and central New South Wales.
Willeila has open plains and undulating red sandy soils and grey lakebed soils known for growing strong stands of native grasses, herbages and natural timbers.
Lake Nettlegoe provides 1214ha of lakebed grazing, while the Stephen’s and Redan Creeks offer valuable flood-out country suited to finishing prime cattle in season.
The property is watered by six bores, four of which are equipped, and five dams.
Infrastructure includes a five-bedroom home, a three-bedroom cottage, workers’ quarters, a four-stand shearing shed, steel sheep yards along with 3 additional outer yards, steel cattle yards and numerous sheds.
Willeila Station will be auctioned on March 25 with plant and machinery. The successful purchaser will be given first option to purchase the livestock.
The 28,985ha Willeila Station is 80km south-east of Broken Hill and 80km from Menindee.