More than 12,000ha of prime Western District mixed-farming country is on the market with the listing of a portfolio which includes Mt Fyans.

VICTORIA’S expansive Mt Fyans Aggregation is on the market, as is Nadia on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula coast, while recent sales include Mungala, also on EP.

Mt Fyans Aggregation, Vic

In one of the biggest listings for the year, a south-west Victorian mixed-farming portfolio spanning more than 12,140ha and rated to carry 200,000 DSE is expected to attract more than $150 million.

The six-property offering near Mortlake in the Western District is described as the region’s largest mixed-farming opportunity, with country suited to beef, prime lamb, wool and cropping.

The holdings are close to the Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) and centrally located to Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Hamilton.

The portfolio comprises the 7547ha Mt Fyans Aggregation, the 1426ha Manooka, the 1244ha Kielli, and the 1805ha Mondilibi plus adjoining blocks.

Elders agent Rob Rickard said the offering presents an unprecedented opportunity to buy at scale in reliable 609mm (24 inch) rainfall country.

“The portfolio has amazing soil types, from highly regarded red volcanic soils on the southern end to basalts and some volcanic rises on the most northern end of the property,” Mr Rickard said.

“The water quantity and quality for livestock is also outstanding.

“It has exceptional underground water from bores and springs.”

Mr Rickard expects the portfolio, offered as a whole or in separate holdings, to attract institutional investors and corporate buyers.

With more than half the country arable, the offering could also appeal to large cropping organisations seeking high-yielding winter-cropping land.

Renewable energy offers potential for diversified, passive income.

The Mt Fyans Wind Farm project has received Victorian Government development approval, with 15 turbines allocated to Mondilibi and Manooka within a larger 81-turbine development.

The Mt Fyans Aggregation is supporting sheep, cattle and cropping, as as the Mt Fyans Wind Farm. Photo: Elders

Read more about the sale of Mondilibi and Manooka in this earlier Beef Central story.

The portfolio’s largest holding, the Mt Fyans Aggregation, is being offered by New South Wales Merino stud breeders Ian and Camilla Shippen.

Spanning 7545ha near Dundonnell, 21km north of Mortlake and 44km north-west of Camperdown, the aggregation has an estimated carrying capacity of 100,000 DSE.

The Shippens, through Banyandah Pastoral, paid $37M for the then 5946ha Mt Fyans property in December 2018.

During their eight-year ownership, they have added 1599ha of nearby country.

They have also invested heavily in pasture improvement, soil amelioration and a strategically designed farm layout, including more than 100km of new fencing, laneways, and all-weather access roads.

Water is supplied by a spring, three bores and dams.

Infrastructure includes an historic nine-bedroom bluestone homestead, built in the mid-1880s to a design by local architect Andrew Kerr, as well as guest accommodation, and four staff residences.

Other infrastructure includes original and newly built shearing quarters, a shearing shed expanded from four to 14 stands, sheep yards, numerous sheds, and 9250 tonnes of grain storage.

The Mt Fyans Aggregation is being offered as a whole or in separate holdings through an expressions-of-interest campaign closing December 9.

Elders agents Nick Myer and Rob Rickard are handling the sale.

In September, the Shippens also listed their North Tahara Aggregation in the eastern Riverina of NSW, with price expectations of around $55M.

The 4805ha mixed farming portfolio lies 18km east of Wagga Wagga and 25km south-east of Junee.

It comprises the adjoining 2023ha The Pinnacles, 2516ha Valima and 266ha Wheel of Fortune holdings.

The two listings (Mt Fyans and North Tahara) follow the Shippens’ May purchase of the Wanganella and Boonoke Merino sheep studs and properties, which are regarded among Australia’s best-known Merino genetics assets.

Sold by Australian Food & Agriculture, Wanganella and Boonoke formed part of the original FS Falkiner & Sons aggregation. They were included in AFA’s Deniliquin portfolio, alongside Warriston, Peppinella, Zara and Barratta.

Nadia, SA

A mixed farm offering a coastal lifestyle on the upper west coast of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is drawing good inquiry, despite harvest being under way.

The 3453ha Nadia is 20km west of Ceduna, with around 18km of frontage to Tourville Bay.

The property comprises eight holdings:

• 801 – 1110ha with 905ha arable;
• 802 – 300ha with 278ha arable and coastal frontage;
• 803 – 1226ha with 1200ha arable and coastal frontage;
• 804 – 159ha with 158ha arable;
• 805 – 100ha with 90ha arable and coastal frontage;
• 806 – 200ha with 10ha arable;
• 807 – 316ha with 180ha arable and coastal frontage; and,
• 808 – A non-arable 11ha with coastal frontage.

Its coastline takes in low cliffs, sandy beaches and tidal flats.

The property adjoins the locally known Nadia Landing and is near Davenport Creek, a popular spot for camping, skiing, swimming and fishing.

Soils are mostly grey, brown and light brown sands over limestone rubble, with some limestone outcrops and areas of samphire.

Nadia sits 20km west of Ceduna to combine coastal lifestyle and mixed-farming opportunites. Photo: Elders

Historically operated as a cropping and grazing enterprise, Nadia has grown wheat and barley across around 2820ha of cropping land and carried 1300 ewes.

It is divided into 13 main paddocks, with smaller stock paddocks and fenced vegetation and coastal areas.

Elders agent Elaine Seal said Nadia offers opportunities for farming enterprises, investors and buyers seeking a coastal lifestyle.

“Nadia will attract those seeking to expand an existing farming enterprise, secure a substantial mixed farming holding or explore the potential of individual coastal allotments,” Ms Seal said.

“It offers a rare combination of productive land, established infrastructure and remarkable coastal appeal.”

Mains water is available through the local Koonibba Water Scheme.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a three-stand shearing shed, sheep yards and numerous sheds.

A proposed subdivision plan includes four coastal allotments, subject to final survey, government approval, and the issue of new titles.

The proposed parcels range from largely cleared, arable coastal land to natural coastal environments.

The smaller allotment, 808, adjoins Nadia Landing and offers beach access.

Nadia is offered for sale as a whole or in separate holdings, with expressions of interest closing December 3.

Mungala, SA

A local farmer has purchased Mungala, a wheat and barley cropping property on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, to expand his operations.

Located near Murlong, the 2244ha property had been held by the Kay family for 65 years.

The sale included both non-contingent lots: the 1170ha Home block and the 1074ha Elliots block.

Ray White Rural SA agent Sam Krieg said the property attracted numerous offers from local farmers and those outside the area; however, he was unable to disclose the buyer or the price paid.

Mungala on SA’s Eyre Peninsula has been sold by the Kay family to a local farmer. Photo: Ray White Rural

Mungala features sandy loam soils over clay, with heavier red loams across the flats.

Targeted soil amelioration offers scope to lift productivity, with similar programs delivering strong results in the local area.

A secure SA Water supply services every paddock through multiple meters.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, a three-bedroom transportable home, numerous sheds, a two-stand shearing shed, sheep yards and grain storage.