Claravale has grown a range of crops including sorghum and cotton on its 1420ha of cultivation-ready country. Photo: JLL

CROPPING and mixed-farming opportunities have come to market with the listing of the Top End’s Claravale, the Collins Aggregation in Victoria, and 2500ha of the Podmore family’s holdings in central New South Wales.

Claravale Aggregation, NT

After failing to secure a buyer through an expressions-of-interest campaign that closed in December last year, the Northern Territory’s Claravale Aggregation has returned to the market with a price guide of $30 million to $40M.

The aggregation comprises Claravale Station and Claravale Farm, located 89km north of Katherine in the productive Douglas Daly region.

Claravale Station spans 61,382ha under a perpetual pastoral lease with frontage to the Fergusson River, while the neighbouring 6310ha Claravale Farm is freehold and fronts the Daly River.

The properties are owned by Dalby-based businessmen Michael Simmich and Clayton Coleman of Top End Pastoral Co, who purchased the largely undeveloped assets in April 2021 for between $8M and $9M on a walk-in, walk-out basis, including 230 head of cattle.

Since that time, the aggregation has undergone a significant capital investment program, transforming it into a large-scale, dual-purpose enterprise supporting both livestock and cropping operations.

The sale includes 4000 head of cattle.

JLL Agribusiness agent Chris Holgar said Claravale was a standout example of what could be achieved in northern Australia when scale, location and investment are aligned.

“The property has been thoughtfully developed into a diversified operation, with the infrastructure, design and scale to support both cattle and cropping at a commercial level.”

The livestock operation is underpinned by extensive grazing country and centrally located infrastructure.

Based on current cropping areas and a cattle-focused feed program, the aggregation has the potential to supplementary feed more than 20,000 head of cattle annually.

More than 1420ha has been developed for cultivation and is currently used for grain, hay, silage and, most recently, cotton production.

A further 1408ha has approval to be cleared, with an additional 4500ha identified for potential future development, subject to approval.

In total, about 4000ha has already been cleared or approved for clearing, with a further 1800ha pending final approval, bringing the total developed area to around 5800ha.

The cropping country features fertile soils and is supported by three 2000-tonne silage pits, high-quality shedding and extensive operational infrastructure, providing ongoing scope for expansion.

Water security is a key feature, with permanent waterholes, dams, new solar-powered bores and 80km of frontage to the Daly and Fergusson Rivers across the aggregation.

Residential and operational improvements include a main homestead, staff cottages, accommodation dongas, ablution blocks, powered camp sites, multiple sheds, cattle yards and feed pens.

Claravale is being offered for sale by JLL Agribusiness agents Geoff Warriner and Clayton Smith along with Mr Holgar, in conjunction with Andrew Gray of Gray Land and Livestock.

Collins Aggregation, Victoria

Around $25M is anticipated for a significant dryland cropping enterprise in central Victoria that has been listed for sale after three generations of family ownership.

The 3205ha prime dryland farming property, owned by Ian Collins and his son Ewan, is located south-west of Mitiamo and less than 30 minutes from Echuca and Bendigo.

It comprises 2901ha of contiguous cropping land, along with the nearby 304ha Piavella Park.

Situated in a 395mm annual rainfall region, the property typically produces wheat, barley, and oaten hay.

The Collins Aggregation covers 3205ha in northern Victoria’s Mitiamo district. Photo: Ray White Rural

Ray White Rural agent Rob Hosking said opportunities of this scale rarely come to market in Victoria, and the listing is expected to attract strong interest from large family farming operations and corporate buyers.

He said the property has been carefully managed by the Collins family over three generations, with a strong focus on sustainable land management.

“Their dedication to responsible farming practices is evident throughout the holding, with excellent weed control and a well-structured cropping and livestock production program,” Mr Hosking said.

Following recent rain, Mr Hosking said the property is well positioned for the coming season.

“In the past week, it has received 127mm of rain, providing ample soil moisture.

“Once a summer weed spray is completed, the property will be ready for planting from Anzac Day.”

Infrastructure includes two cottages, steel cattle yards, a three-stand shearing shed, silo storage, and numerous sheds.

Pinelands, West Milby and Quambi Vale, NSW

More than 2500ha of versatile dryland mixed-farming country in central western NSW has been listed for sale with a price guide of $4942/ha.

The Podmore family is selling adjoining properties West Milby and Quambi Vale, spanning 1539ha near Tullibigeal, and the 1032ha Pinelands, 15km from Condobolin.

The holdings are close to regional service centres, grain-handling facilities and livestock markets.

CBRE and Fox & Lillie Rural have been appointed to handle the sale of the properties via an expressions of interest campaign closing on April 15.

The agents said the region is recognised for its versatility and consistent production outcomes, making it attractive to both owner-operators and investors.

“The properties are suited to producers seeking a blank-canvas farming asset in a proven district, with upside through capital improvement and enterprise optimisation.”

West Milby is one of the properties in central NSW being offered for same by the Podmore family. Photo: CBRE

Pinelands has been grazed in recent years, with the kurrajong country and red loam soils last cropped in 2023.

The property has attracted solid interest from neighbouring landholders and local buyers, drawn by its reliability and high-quality loam country.

Water is supplied under pressure via the Milby Water Scheme and supported by 450mm of average annual rainfall.

Infrastructure includes steel cattle yards and a hay shed.

The 890ha West Milby and the neighbouring 649ha Quambi Vale are a 12-minute drive from Pinelands.

The gently undulating country features red loam soils across grey box, murray pine and kurrajong landscapes.

Following the 2024 harvest, the properties have been used for livestock grazing and are expected to attract strong interest from larger corporate operators with existing holdings in the district.

Water supply is supplied to West Milby via the West Milby Water Association.

Most of the infrastructure is on West Milby and includes cattle yards, a three-stand shearing shed and numerous sheds.

The agents note residential accommodation and additional improvements across both holdings are in original or poor condition, presenting opportunity for refurbishment or redevelopment.

West Milby and Quambi Vale are offered for sale as a combined aggregation or as separate holdings.

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