The Box

Fourth generation farmers’ pack up in South Australia and head for New England

Written by AuctionsPlus | May 31, 2022 11:00:00 PM

After 17 years of ownership, Armidale’s “Stockton”, a sheep and cattle farm, has been snapped up by a family from South Australia.

The new owners purchased the 735 hectare property after auction for an undisclosed price.

Selling agent George Barton from McCulloch Agencies in Tamworth said he was very happy with the sale.

“The sale was a good sale, everyone was very happy with the price,” George said. 

“The buyers are bringing their young family over from South Australia.”

“They’re having a tree change in agriculture going from a sheep and cropping operation and starting up a cattle operation.”

The property is split into 21 fenced paddocks with a laneway system leading to the main yards with plenty of water storage for stock.

It also has sheep and cattle infrastructure with a set of steel cattle yards, two sets of sheep yards and a five-stand woolshed.

Currently it can sustain approximately 350 head of cattle but with pasture improvement Mr Barton said it has the capacity for much more. 

The buyers were also drawn to the large dam not far from the homestead, which offers some great lifestyle opportunities including fishing, swimming and kayaking.

The property is  located 20 minutes east of Armidale in New South Wales, with a school bus to the front gate.

Mr Barton said the family saw more value in the New England area than where they lived in South Australia. 

“It’s following a trend,” he said, “Eight out of ten of my inspections currently are from out of area or interstate buyers.”