The Warren properties have well-equipped flood irrigation infrastructure.

A CENTRAL western New South Wales property at Warren equipped to switch between grazing and cropping has been sold for an undisclosed sum to a neighbouring family.

The Part Mundooie and Back MacKenzie’s aggregation on the Macquarie River floodplain north of Warren has sold to the Wass family, Mount Foster.

Nutrien Ag Solutions Wilson Russ agent Ashley McGilchrist was unable to disclose the price of Part Mundooie and Back MacKenzie’s, but said the sale exceeded expectations following strong local and state-wide interest.

The non-contiguous grazing and cropping aggregation comprises the standalone properties of 2829ha in Part Mundooie and 1168ha in Back Mackenzie’s.

Around 360 hectares are laser-levelled and developed for flood irrigation and a further 800ha is suited to dryland cropping.

The balance is soft red to heavy chocolate flood plains grazing country capable of running 400 cows or between 6750DSE and 7500DSE.

The Campbell family started aggregating the 3998 hectares in the 1920s and developed Part Mundooie and Back Mackenzie’s as complementary enterprises.

Mr McGilchrist said the diversity enabled the vendors to capitalise on high prices.

“When cotton is making good money, it can be the golden-haired child.

“Conversely, when grains or cattle are doing well, then they can be the money makers,” he said.

Mr McGilchrist said the listing attracted strong inquiry from people looking to purchase the aggregation as a whole or separately.

“The Warren Shire is tightly held and when a property is listed it is keenly sought after by locals seeking expansion or by outsiders trying to get a foot in the door.”

The water infrastructure on Part Mundooie and Back MacKenzie’s features two electric bores, a solar pump and a 915ML reservoir that, at the time of sale, was holding around 650ML of water.

Over the last five years, many kilometres of new fencing were completed, including 6.7km of exclusion fencing.

The aggregation features a range of improvements which support the grazing and cropping enterprises.

They include livestock infrastructure, four silos, several machinery, hay and storage sheds and accommodation.

Interest in blue ribbon in the Goulburn Valley’s Castle Creek

Sheep grazing on the well-fertilised Castle Creek pastures.

LOCALS through to corporates are showing interest in a blue-ribbon prime lamb, fine wool and winter cropping enterprise in Central Victoria’s highly sought-after Goulburn Valley.

The 1456ha Castle Creek is 14km from Euroa and less than two hours from Melbourne, in a region renowned for its ideal climate, above average rainfall and diverse soil types.

The mixed farming operation comprises four holdings – 478ha Castle Creek North, 327ha Castle Creek South, 395ha Woods and 256ha Skinners – aggregated over 30 years by the Gross family.

Around 94 percent (1367ha) of the flat to gently sloping country is considered arable with fertile loam and clay soils.

The grazing area has a carrying capacity of 10,000DSE with the current vendors running 4578 mixed sheep.

Castle Creek has a strong fertiliser history with soil testing, fertiliser, gypsum and lime applications undertaken on a regular basis to maximise productivity and retain optimum levels of meat and wool production.

The 452ha cropping area features a balance of introduced pastures and high-yielding winter row crops including wheat, canola, barley and oats.

Shane McIntyre from CBRE Agribusiness would not disclose a price guide; however, it is understood the land and fixed improvements could achieve around $16,000 per hectare.

“Castle Creek is a turnkey operation that has been thoughtfully developed by the Gross family, including well-maintained fencing and state-of-the-art working facilities.”

Castle Creek is watered by three dams supported by 547,100 litres of water stored in multiple tanks.

It is being offered for sale as a whole or as four separate parcels via a two-stage expressions of interest campaign closing on July 5.

Castle Creek is well-equipped for lot feeding some lambs.