AFTER over 30 years of ownership, the Baker family has listed their 3010-hectare southern Riverina aggregation for sale.

Known as the Baker Grain Aggregation, it has historically produced irrigated and dryland crops as well as pastures for livestock.

Nutrien Harcourt Albury agents Billy Jones and Andrew Bell have been appointed to handle the listing.

It is located 6 kilometres west of Howlong and 36km from Albury, with frontage to the Murray River and Riverina Highway.

A total of 1925ha is under irrigation, with 4287 megalitres (ML) of water entitlements sourced from seven bores, plus a licence for 804ML of NSW Murray River water.

A 65,000-tonne grain storage facility along with a 60t weighbridge offers storage and warehousing opportunities to maximise returns.

Other improvements include six homes, shedding for hay and machinery, stock yards, a shearing shed and a cattle feedlot with a 999-head capacity.

Mr Jones said Baker Grains Aggregation was a leader in the Southern Riverina for cropping, livestock, grain storage, freight, and contract farm services.

“This is a unique opportunity which would enable an existing industry participant to broaden their operational base, or a new entrant to secure a large foothold in a highly regarded and tightly held location,” Mr Jones said.

The preliminary registration for expressions of interest closes on October 7, and final offers are due to agents on October 28.

Avon sells before auction

About 140km north in the Narrandera district, the 956ha mixed farm Avon sold prior to auction, which was initially scheduled for today.

Vendors of the block were the Hopwood family, and the names of the new owners and the sale price have not been disclosed.

Approximately 95 per cent of the property is considered arable thanks to its highly productive strong red loam soils.

Elders Wagga Wagga agent Angus McLeod said the number of inquiries for the block were slightly below expectation, which he attributes to the changing economic climate and rising interest rates.

However, he said the result was positive for the vendors and new owners.

Avon’s improvements include grain silos, a large workshop, sheep and cattle yards and hay and machinery sheds.

Weather delays Ivanhoe

South of the Murray River, dryland cropping properties are also heading to market.

The EOI date has been extended on Ivanhoe, in Victoria’s northern Mallee, with wet weather preventing people from inspecting the 1304ha holding.

Located at Meering West between Boort and Kerang, Ivanhoe has a history of producing crops including wheat, barley, lentils and vetch.

The listing is the final step in the transition into retirement for vendors Allan and Helen Rothacker who have had the property leased out to tenants since 2013.

Elders Real Estate Barham agent Peter Robertson, who is handling the transaction alongside colleague Jason Telford, said listing was a big step for the Rothackers.

He said the couple are the fourth generation to run the property, which has been in the family since 1907.

The property is split into two lots: Ivanhoe (762ha) and Ivanhoe North (542ha).

The larger parcel features a silo complex, machinery, workshop and grain sheds and steel sheep and containment yards.

Mr Robertson said the productive soils and favourable seasonal conditions have made Ivanhoe and the surrounding Mallee region an attractive destination for growers wanting to expand their operations.

“We have had regional interest and interest from southern Victoria and South Australia,” Mr Robertson said.

“We are having an exceptional year at the Mallee.

“The concern of course is always getting it into the bin and finishing it’s potential, but at the moment the crops have enormous potential.

“Other areas have had two or three years like this, but for us this is our outstanding year.”

He said the strong grain prices and conditions were giving people the “ability and the confidence” to be involved in the market.

EOI are now closing for Ivanhoe on October 21.

The property is currently leased until December 31.