Canadian pension giant takes full control of $500 million Riverina farm empire

10 April 2025

PSP Investments, through its Australian Food & Fibre (AFF) joint venture, has acquired the entire 30,000ha Kooba aggregation near Griffith. Pic: Kooba Aggregation Facebook

An article by  Kylie Dulhunty

In this week's property round-up a major Canadian pension fund has taken up full ownership of a farming aggregation in a deal worth about $500 million. Meanwhile, a major grazing aggregation in Queensland’s central west has hit the market with 34,000ha up for grabs. 

Canadian pension giant takes full control of $500 million Riverina farm empire

Kooba aggregation 2 (Pic Kooba Facebook Page)

Size: 30,000ha

Location: Griffith, NSW

Sale price: About $500 million

A major Canadian pension fund has tightened its grip on Australian agriculture, snapping up full ownership of a vast Riverina farming aggregation in a deal worth about $500 million.

PSP Investments, through its Australian Food & Fibre (AFF) joint venture, has acquired the entire 30,000ha Kooba aggregation near Griffith, after buying out co-investors Chris Corrigan and David Fitzsimons.

The transaction marks Mr Corrigan’s exit from his largest agricultural holding, with the veteran businessman citing frustration over federal Labor’s water buyback policy as a key reason for his decision to sell.

“Enough’s enough. Labor and the Greens are hell-bent on destroying Australian agriculture,” Mr Corrigan told The Australian Financial Review from Europe, where he now lives.

I decided there are better things to do with your money. You’re fighting constantly against the people who want to destroy Australia’s agricultural capacity.”

Previously part of ASX-listed Webster Limited, Kooba includes extensive cotton, cropping and livestock operations, alongside 1400ha of almond orchards.

PSP took Webster private in 2019 for $850 million, splitting out Kooba into a separate entity, KoobaCo, where Corrigan and Fitzsimons held a 50.1 per cent stake.

Under the deal, Kooba’s almond and apiary assets will transfer to PSP-owned Stahmann Webster, while AFF will retain the cotton, cropping and livestock operations.

The transaction has secured Foreign Investment Review Board approval.

PSP Investments, whose members include Canadian public service workers and police officers, has built an $8 billion portfolio of Australian farmland and water assets.

Through AFF, PSP also owns the former Auscott business and has holdings across dairy, cropping and poultry enterprises.

Huge Queensland grazing portfolio up for grabs with water security and serious cattle capacity

Mt Harden 1

Size: 34,000ha

Location: Blackall, QLD

Sale method: EOI closing May 22

Price guide: N/A

A major grazing aggregation in Queensland’s central west has hit the market, offering buyers a rare chance to secure a large-scale, well-developed landholding in one of Australia’s premier beef-producing regions.

The’ Mt Harden Aggregation’, spanning more than 34,000 hectares across three contiguous freehold properties, is being offered for sale by expressions of interest, closing 22 May.

Located about 72km from Blackall, the aggregation comprises 'Mt Harden', 'Lowana' and 'Morundah', and has a strong history of breeding, backgrounding and fattening cattle.

The listing highlights a blend of country types including Mitchell Grass Downs, semi-open Brigalow, Coolibah creek channels and “5,943.60ha of developed Gidgee country growing prolific stands of Buffel Grass”.

Water security is a standout feature, with a capped artesian bore feeding five header tanks and 90 troughs, along with five sub-artesian bores and 26 dams.

The property is fully exclusion fenced and includes 32 main paddocks, 43km of laneways and two sets of cattle yards, providing excellent operational efficiency.

Infrastructure also features two homesteads, machinery sheds, shearing sheds, and workers’ accommodation.

Described in the listing as a “remarkable aggregation with strong breeding, backgrounding and fattening history”, the scale and infrastructure of the ‘Mt Harden Aggregation’ is expected to attract interest from established pastoral players and investors seeking a foothold in Queensland’s beef heartland.

The sale is being handled by Ray White Rural’s Bruce Douglas.

Lawson Grains expands southern NSW footprint with Bulgandra buy

Size: 3096ha

Location: Walbundrie

Sale price: About $44 million

Corporate farming giant Lawson Grains has expanded its southern NSW footprint, snapping up the 3096ha ‘Bulgandra Aggregation’ near Rand for an estimated $44 million.

The deal adds to Lawson Grains' growing portfolio in the Riverina, positioning Bulgandra alongside its existing ‘Borambil Aggregation’.

The purchase strengthens Lawson’s presence in the region, where it already manages thousands of hectares of high-yield cropping country.

“The ‘Bulgandra Aggregation’ is adjacent to Lawson Grains’ Borambil Aggregation… providing the opportunity to leverage economies of scale, existing supply chains, and manage these assets for strong investment returns and sustainability outcomes,” said Bruce King, director of New Agriculture, which manages Lawson Grains on behalf of Canada's Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo).

The aggregation, understood to have been locally owned since 2020, boasts about 2,961ha of arable land producing cereals, pulses, and canola, along with sheep enterprises for wool and prime lamb. Extensive infrastructure includes 1400 tonnes of grain storage, machinery sheds, two shearing sheds, cattle yards, and staff accommodation, plus reliable water from dams, bores, and creek frontages.

Selling agent Nick Myer of Elders Real Estate confirmed strong interest in the property, noting its scale and proximity to Lawson Grains’ existing operations made it a natural fit.

The acquisition further cements Lawson Grains' status as one of Australia’s largest corporate grain producers, now controlling around 100,000 hectares across NSW and Western Australia.

Randall Wine Group acquires historic Langhorne Creek vineyards

Langhorne Creek Vineyard Portfolio

Size: 107ha

Location: Langhorne Creek

Sale price: N/A

The Randall Wine Group has expanded its footprint in South Australia’s premium wine region, purchasing a historic portfolio of vineyards in Langhorne Creek.

The 107ha holding at 9 Saltmarsh Road includes the Blackwell, Meechi, Pasquin, and Meechi Step Road vineyards — the latter held by the same family for over 120 years.

Across the four sites, around 93 hectares are under vine, featuring historic plantings of key Langhorne Creek varietals and a strong production history of A and B grade fruit.

A recent reworking program has positioned the vineyards for future productivity, supported by secure water entitlements and quality infrastructure, including operational shedding and a four-bedroom residence with landscaped gardens.

The purchase is backed by a five-year grape supply agreement with Treasury Wine Estates, expiring in October 2028, underscoring the strategic value of the vineyards to leading wine producers.

Colliers Agribusiness Associate Director, Transactions Services, Nick Goode, described the acquisition as a well-timed move by the Randall Wine Group.

“I think it was a strategic move for the wine group. From what I understand, they are chasing more fruit and this became available,” Mr Goode said.

The purchase adds to Randall Wine Group’s growing portfolio, further entrenching its presence in South Australia’s celebrated wine heartland.

 


Kylie Dulhunty is a journalist with more than 20 years experience covering everything from court to health. Today, Kylie loves nothing more than turning market trends, industry insights and epic property sales - residential, rural and commercial into captivating stories.

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