High-tech Angus breeding operation hits the market

Check out this week's rural property report.

High-tech Angus breeding operation hits the market

Size: 3,539ha

Location: Barham, NSW

Sale method: EOI closing on October 22 at 12pm (AEDT)

Price: N/A

One of Australia’s leading Angus studs is seeking a buyer for a high-tech cattle breeding and cropping enterprise spanning 3,539ha in the Southern Riverina.

Lawsons Angus has listed Cobwell Station, at 382 Sandy Bridge Rd, Barham, through joint agents LAWD and Border Real Estate.

The property currently supports about 1,200 Angus cows and calves, with potential to increase its carrying capacity to about 1,500 breeders.

Lawsons Angus has combined three former mixed farming holdings to create an integrated production system incorporating river grazing, dryland cropping, lucerne production and two intensive irrigation and animal husbandry zones.

Vendor Harry Lawson said the diversity of the country enabled the operation to capitalise on seasonal growth while resting other areas.

“The flexibility is what sets Cobwell apart,” Mr Lawson said.

“We can use a flush of feed in one area while resting another. We rotate cattle through the property and produce fodder to carry us through when conditions change.”

An extensive laneway network aids the movement of livestock and machinery, while Halter virtual fencing provides greater control over cattle movements around the property’s large, irregular river grazing area.

“Halter has revolutionised the way we farm Cobwell,” Mr Lawson said.

“Cattle can be managed without relying solely on physical fences, although we have made extensive improvements to the fencing infrastructure across the entire property.

“It has reduced the labour involved in moving cattle and increased feed utilisation by around 30 per cent.”

Cobwell comprises 225ha of developed irrigation, 1,276ha of dryland cropping and grazing country, and 2,038ha of native grazing and support land.

About 50km of combined frontage to the Wakool River, Merangatuk Creek and Barbers Creek enhances its water security, while the irrigation program supports summer crops, winter pastures, cereals and lucerne.

“Cobwell is not highly dependent on irrigation, which is an important part of its flexibility,” Mr Lawson said.

“The river grazing and high-quality dryland areas provide a strong production base, while irrigation allows us to grow and store fodder when the conditions and water price are right.”

LAWD sales executive Patrick Kerr said the holding offered some of Australia’s best-value breeding land.

“The combination of productive scale, water security and flexibility makes Cobwell a very compelling breeding proposition,” Mr Kerr said.

“It offers an incoming owner an established operation with several avenues for further growth, whether through increased breeder numbers, expanded fodder production or additional irrigation development.”

The livestock enterprise is also supported by about 47 main paddocks, two sets of steel cattle yards, containment pens and extensive new fencing.

The offering also includes a renovated four-bedroom homestead and three-bedroom manager’s residence.

Expressions of interest close on October 22 at 12pm (AEDT)

Historic Upper Murray station tipped to fetch $45 million-plus

Size: 5260ha

Location: Upper Murray region, southern NSW

Sale method: EOI closing October 28 at 12pm.

Price guide: $45 million-plus

Historic Upper Murray grazing powerhouse Ardenside Station has hit the market with expectations it will sell for $45 million-plus as a whole.

The 5260ha landmark holding in southern NSW is being offered by Meares & Associates through expressions of interest, closing at 12pm October 28.

It can be purchased as a whole or in three lots: the 2004ha Ardenside, 3146ha Allerthorpe and 110ha Ingledale.

Meares & Associates Principal Chris Meares said the campaign represented a rare offering in one of Australia’s best-known livestock breeding and fattening regions.

“The sale of Ardenside Station is both a significant and landmark event for the Upper Murray,” he said.

“Comprising approximately 13,000 acres, fronting the Murray River and rising to 840m above sea level, Ardenside is an absolute factory in terms of livestock production.”

The station has 2km of Murray River frontage and stretches more than 20km, rising from 220m to 840m above sea level.

Rainfall varies from 800mm on Ardenside to 900mm on the higher Allerthorpe country.

More than 70 per cent, or 3850ha, has been established to high-performance pastures, including phalaris, cocksfoot, fescues, sub clovers and white clovers.

Regular topdressing spanning more than 50 years has helped support a sustainable carrying capacity of up to 50,000 DSE.

As at August 2026, the station was carrying 46,100 DSE, including 1960 Angus cows and calves, 200 replacement heifers, 3475 Merino ewes, 750 replacement ewes and 650 Merino wethers.

“Today, under the continuing management of Max Manefield, the station boasts one of the outstanding Angus herds in eastern Australia together with select flock of outstanding Kurra-Wirra blood Merino ewes, historically cutting up to 6kg of wool at a popular 17.5 microns,” Mr Meares said.

The Ardenside lot carries 23,440 DSE, Allerthorpe 22,670 DSE and Ingledale 1500 DSE.

For generations, cattle were walked from Ardenside to high-country forestry leases via Oakvale, Bowens Retreat and McPhersons Plains before grazing through the warmer months.

The property has had only three owners since it was taken up as part of Melbourne pastoralist Edmund Jowett’s empire in the late 1800s.

The Kidman-Reid family purchased it in 1981 and the current owner acquired it in 2001.

“We expect with the reputation, size, scale and productivity levels of Ardenside that interest will be forthcoming from a range of sectors, including the corporates and institutional investors, together with the top end family farmers and graziers,” Mr Meares said.

Productive Strathlea mixed farming property hits the market

Size: 204.6ha

Location: Strathlea, Victoria

Sale method: AuctionsPlus auction on October 16 at 11am

Price guide: N/A

A productive 204.6ha mixed farming property offering scale, quality infrastructure and strong grazing or cropping potential has hit the market in Victoria’s tightly held Strathlea district.

The holding at 657 Strathlea Rd is being offered by Nutrien Harcourts Ballarat through a receiver’s sale.

The property is scheduled for online auction through AuctionsPlus at 11am on October 16.

Nutrien Harcourts Ballarat agent Adrian Smith said the property was well-positioned between two of Victoria’s major regional centres.

“Situated approximately 60km from Ballarat and Bendigo, this productive mixed farming property is located in the tightly held Strathlea district, offering scale, quality infrastructure and strong grazing or cropping potential,” he said in the listing description.

The slightly undulating mixed farming country is well suited to grazing, livestock production and fodder cropping, with productive sandy loam soils over clay subsoil.

Its improved pastures have a history of cropping and grazing, while areas where stumps have been removed offer potential for further remediation.

The property is subdivided into four main paddocks, with six catchment dams providing stock water.

Farm infrastructure includes a recently constructed, five-bay Central Steel Build shed measuring 40m by 21m and covered on three sides.

A large, fenced-off hardstand area is suitable for storing machinery, hay and equipment, while the property also offers about 70,000 litres of rainwater storage.

An area of native trees provides valuable protection and shelter for livestock across the entire holding during changing seasonal conditions.

The listing presents an opportunity to expand an existing farming operation in a highly regarded district, with its combination of productive country and recently developed infrastructure.

“(The property offers) quality mixed farming country with proven productivity, excellent infrastructure and genuine scale in a tightly held location,” Mr Smith said.

Five bidders push Eudunda farm to $1.85 million auction result

Size: 143.1ha

Location: Eudunda, South Australia

Sale price: $1.85 million

A versatile mixed farming property near Eudunda has sold under the hammer for $1.85 million following competition from five registered bidders.

Ray White Rural South Australia sold the 143.1ha holding, known as Murray’s, at public auction, with principal Geoff Schell calling the sale, which was livestreamed on social media.

Bidding opened at $1 million before climbing in mostly $50,000 increments through $1.05 million, $1.1 million and beyond.

The auction reached $1.65 million before the selling team entered negotiations with the highest bidder, with the property ultimately knocked down for $1.85 million.

Located on Myrtle Rd about 2km north of Eudunda, adjoining the Worlds End Highway, Murrays comprises gently undulating farming country.

Almost all of the property is arable, with clay loam soils suited to producing a broad range of crops, including cereals, oilseeds and legumes, as well as running sheep enterprises.

Addressing bidders before the auction, Mr Schell highlighted the holding’s versatility and potential to complement an established operation or provide a pathway into the agricultural sector.

“Perhaps there's an expansion opportunity for an existing farming business here today to expand on their doorstep or nearby, or as an entry to an agribusiness investment,” he said.

Mr Schell also drew attention to the property’s position less than five minutes from Eudunda, offering easy access to the town’s services while retaining the benefits of a rural lifestyle.

Murrays features a spacious, renovated four-bedroom homestead with multiple living areas and an additional games room or teenage retreat.

Farming infrastructure includes two good-sized implement sheds, workshops and additional sundry shedding.

Secure stock water is supplied through the SA mains water network, while fencing is generally considered to be in good stock-proof condition.

The district’s long-term average annual rainfall is estimated at about 440mm.

Mr Schell told the auction crowd the property’s proximity to Eudunda could suit a farming family, while the home could also offer potential as a rental property.

The result equates to about $12,928 per hectare on a whole-property basis including the homestead and infrastructure at the final sale price achieved.