Cotton production has been central to the current owners’ operations at Lagoona. Photo: Leichardt Group

DAWSON Valley cropping and grazing property, Lagoona, is up for sale offering buyers a rare opportunity to purchase in the tightly held Theodore district.

Offered by the Hindle family, it is only the second time the 1213ha holding has been on the open market in about 50 years.

“Lagoona is well-known in the region and highly regarded,” Leichardt Group agent Scott Kostecki said.

“It’s an outstanding irrigation farming property in a premier location featuring abundant, secure water entitlements from the Dawson River. The property is further supported by improved grazing including leucaena.”

He said succession planning and other business interests have prompted the listing.

Lagoona was previously owned and managed as an organic operation to suit the requirements of previous owners Darling Downs miller Kialla Foods.

Located 30km south-east of Theodore and 240km south of Rockhampton, Lagoona features an even mix of dryland and irrigated cropping and livestock grazing.

The property is developed to about 616ha of cash cropping, including 472ha of irrigation which the vendors have continued to develop during their ownership.

This includes about 352ha laser-levelled for flood irrigation of row crops, and 120ha under centre pivot.

A further 488ha is set aside for grazing, and features leucaena and improved Buffel grass, native pastures and para grass.

“There is opportunity for another 34ha that can be further developed to irrigated row crops.”

Abundant water

Mr Kostecki said Lagoona has excellent water entitlements and about 2200ML of on-farm storage which supports the long-term productivity potential of the property.

He said water entitlements comprise 3197ML from the Dawson River consisting of 2000ML supplemented and 1197ML flood harvest with a maximum take of 1640ML per water year.

The water entitlements and the tightly held nature of the Dawson Valley region has prompted a variety of early interest in Lagoona.

“Properties of this quality and scale in the Dawson Valley rarely come to market, primarily because they’re profitable and secure”.

“We’re getting strong interest from a variety of potential buyers, including local interests, but also from other farming and grazing areas, and from an international interest as well.”

Mr Kostecki said Lagoona is versatile and would be an attractive property for a number of buyers, including an additional property for an existing irrigator in the area, or a farmer from another area looking to build on their enterprise.

Lagoona has access to highly secure water entitlements. Photo: Leichardt Group

Feedlot opportunity

The property also lends itself to a potential self-supported feedlot opportunity.

“Lagoona may also suit the development of a self-sustaining feedlot operation.

“We are getting market feedback which would support this, subject to the relevant approvals”.

While currently under a cotton and grain rotation, Mr Kostecki said Lagoona would be easily adapted to suit a grazier looking for vertical integration.

“The scale, topography and secure water provide an opportunity for a value-added self-supported feedlot operation as a standalone or as a value-add to the existing farming operations.”

Modern improvements

Alongside the irrigation infrastructure, Lagoona features 950 tonnes of on-farm grain silo storage, a large machinery shed, ancillary sheds, and three homes.

An 11km proven levee bank surrounds the storage dams and irrigation lands.

Lagoona is for sale by private treaty inclusive of water licences.