Extensive list of South Australia’s major agriculture players revealed
A Canadian pension fund might be the single biggest investor in Australian agriculture, but in South Australia farming families still rule the roost. Explore the list.
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A family company started 100 years ago by the son of an Irish immigrant is today one of South Australia’s largest landowners.
The Bride family, of AJ&PA McBride, makes the list of South Australian agriculture’s major players, along with other SA families including the Rowes of Princess Royal in the Mid North, and the Coopers, of CC Cooper & Co, based at Jamestown.
The Advertiser’s sister paper The Weekly Times’ annual investigation into Who Owns Australia’s Farms shows both foreign and domestic investors are looking beyond the current coronavirus crisis and snapping up valuable farming land.
The investigation found that when it comes to value, Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investments is the single biggest investor in Australian agriculture with a land and water portfolio valued at more than $3 billion.
But in SA, farming families are still the major players.
The AJ&PA McBride family business celebrated its centenary this year with a book release called Faraway – 100 years of wool, interweaving the McBride family story against the backdrop of Australia’s wool industry.
The company’s roots go back to Robert James Martin McBride, who arrived in Adelaide from Newry, Ireland, in 1855 and sought employment in the Burra region.
Before long, he had extensive holdings of grazing land. His seventh child, Albert James, who was born in 1868, bought his first property, Faraway Hill, in 1902.
In 1920, Albert, wife Louisa, and his eldest son Philip formed the company AJ&PA McBride Ltd.
Today, all the company shares are still held by the descendants and partners of Albert James’ eight children.
AJ&PA McBride Ltd chairman Keith McBride says those in the company are proud of its rich heritage and excited about the future of Australian agriculture.
Here’s a list of South Australian agriculture’s major players:
BILLA KALINA PASTORAL COMPANY
Owned by Colin Greenfield and family.
• Billa Kalina, Woomera SA – 500,000 hectares. Runs 4000 Shorthorn breeding cows.
TA&PA BRINKWORTH-CAPARRA PTY LTD
One of Australia’s wealthiest grazing families, headed up by Tom and Patricia Brinkworth. Operates over one million hectares of land spread across 100 properties, including:
• Banff Station, Salt Creek SA.
• Cortina Station, Kingston SA.
• Didicoolum Station, Kingston SA.
• Frome Downs, Yunta SA. 607,899 hectares. Purchased in 2010 for $3.8 million.
• Kaladbro Station, Strathdownie VIC. 2632 hectares. Purchased in 2016.
• Ninga Ninga Station, Kingston SA.
• SFM Australasia aggregation, Padthaway SA. Six properties from the receivers of the failed timber company in 2010, and reverted back to grazing.
• Uardry Station, Hay NSW. 35,000 hectares. Purchased in 2012 for $28 million.
• Watervalley Station, Kingston SA.
BROOK PROPRIETORS
Organic beef pioneers David and Nell Brook and their family run about 3.5 million hectares in southern Queensland and South Australia, including:
• Adria Downs, Birdsville QLD. 870,000 hectares.
• Alton Downs, via Birdsville SA.
• Cordillo Downs, Innamincka SA.
• Kamaran Downs, Bedourie QLD.
• Murnpeowie Station, Marree SA.
CK LIFE SCIENCES (CHINA)
Hong Kong-listed company, backed by Hong Kong’s richest person Li Ka-shing. Australia’s second-largest vineyard owner. Also has citrus and grape growing properties in Victoria’s Sunraysia region as well as grain, cotton, mango and berry investments.
• Balranald Vineyard, Balranald NSW – 463 hectares of vines.
• Bussorah Vineyard, Padthaway SA – 165 hectares of vines.
• Dalmeny Vineyard, Padthaway SA – 213 hectares of vines.
• Hanwood Vineyard, Hanwood NSW – 394 hectares of vines.
• Lionels Vineyard, Margaret River WA – 42 hectares of vines.
• Miamba Vineyard, Lyndoch SA – 131 hectares of vines.
• Nangiloc Colignan Farms, Mildura VIC – 700 hectares of citrus and table grape orchards. Purchased for $50 million in 2018 (including $16 million of water entitlements).
• Nicoletti Farms, Merredin and Geraldton WA – 88,000 hectares. Purchased in 2016.
• Old Land Vineyard, Margaret River WA – 24 hectares of vines.
• Qualco East Vineyard, Riverland SA – 171 hectares of vines.
• Qualco West Vineyard, Riverland SA – 415 hectares of vines.
• Rowe Road Vineyard, Margaret River WA – 120 hectares of vines.
• Sirens Vineyard, Margaret River WA – 44 hectares of vines.
• Station and Kirkgate vineyards, Coonawarra SA – 256 hectares of vines.
• Stephendale Vineyard, Yenda NSW – 629 hectares of vines.
• White Road Vineyards and Orchards, Tharbogang NSW – 490 hectares of vines.
• Whitton Vineyard, Whitton NSW – 97 hectares of vines.
Source: ck-lifesciences.com
COLINTA HOLDINGS
Owned by Glencore – the parent company of South Australian Viterra grains business – running about 50,000 beef cattle across 1.1 million ha of leased mining country in NSW and Queensland.
CC COOPER & CO
Based in Jamestown, South Australia and run by Leith and Averil Cooper and their sons Seth and Tom. Mixed cropping and livestock business with properties in South Australia, Western Australia and western NSW, including:
• Cropping farm, Narrung SA – 5500 hectares.
• Jamestown SA.
• Madura Plains, Nullarbor Plain WA. 708,200 hectares running 56,000 Merino sheep. Purchased from Jumbuck Pastoral in 2016 for $10 million.
• Wonga Station, Broken Hill NSW.
COSTA GROUP
Australia’s largest grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables. Founded by the Costa family of Geelong. Listed on the ASX, it has property, plant and equipment valued at $498 million.
• Amaroo Citrus Farm, Murtho SA.
• Atherton Berry Farm, Atherton QLD.
• Atherton Avocado Farm, Atherton QLD.
• Casuarina Mushroom Farm, Casuarina WA.
• Childers Avocado Farm, Childers QLD.
• Colignan Citrus Farm, Colignan VIC.
• Comboyne Avocado Farm, Comboyne NSW.
• Corindi Berry Farm, Corindi NSW.
• Dunorlan Berry Farm, Dunorlan TAS.
• East Devonport Berry Farm, East Devonport TAS.
• Gingin Berry Farm, Gingin WA.
• Guyra Tomato Glasshouse, Guyra NSW.
• Kangara Citrus Farm, Kangara SA.
• Lebrina Berry Farm, Lebrina TAS.
• Lindsey Point Citrus Farm, Lindsey Point VIC.
• Mernda Mushroom Farm, Mernda VIC.
• Monarto Mushroom Farm, Monarto SA.
• Mundubbera Grape Farm, Mundubbera QLD.
• Pike Creek Citrus Farm, Lyrup Lyrup SA.
• Rosewood Berry Farm, Rosewood NSW.
• Solora Citrus Farm, Loxton SA.
• Sulphur Creek Berry Farm, Sulphur Creek TAS.
• Tolga Berry Farm, Tolga QLD.
• Tully Banana Farm, Tully QLD.
• Tumbarumba Berry Farm, Tumbarumba NSW.
• Walkamin Banana Farm, Walkamin QLD.
• Walkamin Berry Farm, Walkamin QLD.
• Wesley Vale Berry Farm, Wesley Vale TAS.
• Yandilla Citrus Farm, Yandilla SA.
• Yarrambat Mushroom Farm, Yarrambat VIC.
Source: costagroup.com.au
CROWN POINT PASTORAL COMPANY
Run by northern cattle producers Viv Oldfield and Donny Costello. Operation is spread over more than five million hectares.
• Andado Station, Horseshoe Bend and New Crown, Alice Springs NT – 1,085,000 hectares.
• Clifton Hills Station, Birdsville Track SA – 1,650,000 hectares.
• Crown Point, Birdsville Track SA – 209,000 hectares.
• Maryvale Station, Alice Springs NT. 324,000 hectares. Purchased in 2018.
• Pandie Pandie Station, Birdsville Track SA – 662,500 hectares.
TIM & EMILY EDMUNDS-HALE RIVER HOLDINGS
Former owners of Northern Territory stations Ambalindum and Numery.
• Napperby Station, Alice Springs NT – 550,000 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for $20 million.
• Narwietooma, Derwent and Glen Helen, Alice Springs NT – 550,000 hectares. Adjoins Napperby. Purchased in 2020.
J&F FENNELL
Central Australian pastoralists.
• Wintinna, Coober Pedy SA – 372,500 hectares.
FIRST STATE SUPER
Superannuation group established in 1992 for NSW public sector employees and their families. Currently manages about $89 billion on behalf of 770,000 members.
• Amaroo, Paringa SA – 1700 hectares of almonds. Purchased from Select Harvests in 2015.
• Mendook Farm, Euston NSW – 2000 hectares of almonds. Purchased from Select Harvests in 2015.
• Mullroo, Cullulleraine VIC – 300 hectares of almonds. Purchased from Select Harvests in 2015.
GROWTH FARMS
• Cygnet Park Farms, Kangaroo Island SA – 7821 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for about $25 million.
HANDBURY GROUP
Headed up by Paddy Handbury, son of Geoff and the late Helen Handbury. Sold Collinsville Merino stud and property in 2014.
• Arcoona Station, Woomera SA. 343,000 hectares. Purchased in 2008.
• Swinging Shovel, Lucindale SA.
• The Rises, Balmoral VIC
JUMBUCK PASTORAL COMPANY
Founded by the MacLachlan family in 1888, it is now one of Australia’s biggest sheep and cattle producers with 11 stations spanning 4.94 million hectares.
• Blina Station, Fitzroy Crossing WA – 254,648 hectares.
• Bulgunnia, Coober Pedy SA – 309,600 hectares.
• Commonwealth Hill, Coober Pedy SA – 1,000,000 hectares.
• Gunbar Station, Gunbar NSW – 112,000 hectares.
• Killarney Station, Katherine NT – 541,400 hectares. Purchased in 2014.
• McCoys Well, Yunta SA – 58,680 hectares.
• Meda Station, Derby WA – 505,857 hectares.
• Mobella, Coober Pedy SA – 413,200 hectares.
• Mt Victor, Yunta SA – 199,914 hectares.
• Mulgathing, Coober Pedy – 530,700 hectares.
• Rawlinna Station, Rawlinna WA – 1,011,714 hectares.
PETER LITCHFIELD & FAMILY
South Australia organic livestock producers farming across 600,000 hectares.
• Mount Lyndhurst Station, Leigh Creek SA – 348,900 hectares. Purchased in 2016 for more than $7 million.
• Mundowdna Station, Leigh Creek SA.
• Wilpoorinna Station, Leigh Creek SA.
VIRIDIS AG
Has put together 100,800 hectares in 11 districts of Western Australia, NSW, Queensland and South Australia in addition to a 49 per cent stake in Australia’s largest cotton farm – Cubbie Station at Dirrinbandi in Queensland
• Amarinya, Jerramungup WA – 11,500 hectares.
• Arawa, Eneabba WA – 17,400 hectares.
• Bindana Downs, Bindi Bindi WA – 9100 hectares.
• Cubbie Station, Dirranbandi, QLD – 93,000 hectares (49 per cent share).
• Cummins, Port Lincoln SA – 2600 hectares.
• Englefield Plains, Junee NSW – 7500 hectares.
• Gindurra, Canowindra NSW – 4400 hectares.
• Oodnadatta Farms, Moree NSW – 15,200 hectares.
• Tantanoola, Jerramungup WA – 8000 hectares.
• The Grange, Dongara WA – 16,700 hectares.
• Yupiri, Beaumont WA – 8400 hectares.
AJ&PA MCBRIDE
Based in South Australia, the sixth-generation AJ&PA McBride and Co operates across 1.3 million hectares and boasts assets of between $300 and $400 million. The company is now owned by 102 McBride family shareholders with a strong focus on wool.
• Ashmore, Kingston SE SA – 6920 hectares. Purchased in 1937.
• Braemar Station, Burra SA – 131,213 hectares. Purchased in 1907.
• Brooklyn/Omar, Lucindale SA – 3596 hectares. Purchased in 1952.
• Faraway Vineyard, Naracoorte SA – 34 hectares. Purchased in 2003.
• Konetta Station, Millicent SA – 5171 hectares. Purchased in 1974.
• Nepowie, Naracoorte SA – 2665 hectares. Purchased in 1955.
• North Well, Kingoonya SA – 403,943 hectares. Purchased in the 1980s.
• Teetulpa, Yunta SA – 70,173 hectares. Purchased in 1905.
• Telopea Downs aggregation, Telopea Downs VIC – 47,677 hectares. Purchased in 2018.
• Wilgena Station, Tarcoola SA – 474,194 hectares. Purchased in 1924.
ROBERT MCBRIDE
Owns three properties in NSW Western Division spanning 250,000 hectares. Director of Australian Wool Growers Association and family company AJ & PA McBride (see above).
• Peppora Station, Menindee NSW. Purchased in 1998.
• Tolarno Station, Menindee NSW. Purchased in 1997.
• Wyoming Station, Menindee NSW. Purchased in 2011.
Source: tolarnostation.com.au
MILLINGTON FAMILY
Headed by former Adelaide businessman George Millington.
• Cappedee, Hallett SA – 6726 hectares. Purchased in 2010.
• Collinsville Station, Burra SA – 56,090 hectares. Purchased in 2014.
• Kadlunga, Mintaro SA – 3923 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for about $22 million.
MUTOOROO PASTORAL COMPANY
Established in 1968, Mutooroo Pastoral Company covers about 1.95 million hectares in South Australia’s northeast. It consists of five main station and is owned and operated by the Morgan and Wells families.
• Muttooroo Station, via Broken Hill SA – 250,300 hectares.
• Mulyungarie Station, Cockburn SA – 336,600 hectares.
• Quinyambie Station, Broken Hill NSW – 1,206,500 million hectares.
• Lilydale and Manunda Stations, Yunta SA – 161,100 hectares.
Source: mutooroopastoralcompany.com.au
GARY OVERTON
• Mulka Station, Marree SA. 560,000 hectares.
S KIDMAN AND CO
Gina Rinehart is the majority owner of the iconic S Kidman and Co business which has 12 stations spread across 7.2 million hectares.
• Brunchilly Station, Tennant Creek NT – 457,200 hectares.
• Durham Downs Station, Eromanga QLD – 891,000 hectares.
• Durrie Station, Birdsville QLD – 660,000 hectares.
• Glengyle Station, Birdsville QLD – 550,000 hectares.
• Helen Springs Station, Tennant Creek NT – 570,000 hectares.
• Innamincka Station, Leigh Creek SA – 1,355,000 hectares.
• Macumba Station, Oodnadatta SA – 1,100,000 hectares.
• Morney Plains Station, Windorah QLD – 623,000 hectares.
• Naryilco Station, Tibooburra QLD – 751,000 hectares.
• Rockybank Station, Roma QLD – 14,600 hectares.
• Ruby Plains Station, Halls Creek WA – 480,000 hectares.
• Sturt Creek Outstation, Halls Creek WA – 3150 hectares.
• Tungali Feedlot, Sedan SA – 1700 hectares.
• Woomanooka Outstation, Eromanga QLD.
ROBERTSON CHOWILLA PTY LTD
Run by the Robertson family.
• Chowilla Station, Renmark SA – 123,000 hectares.
SIMON & ANDREA ROWE (PRINCESS ROYAL)
Own 14 South Australian properties, including 500,000 hectares of station country and 40,500 hectares of farming land.
• Burra Creek Wines, Burra SA.
• Mackerode Station, Burra SA.
• Princess Royal Station and feedlot, Burra SA. Purchased in 2002.
• Wertaloona Station, Blinman SA – 257,000 hectares.
• Wooltana Station, Blinman SA.
RURAL FUNDS GROUP
The ASX-listed Rural Funds Group has large-scale investments in almonds, beef, cotton, macadamias and vineyards across 692,182 hectares in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
• Bonmac, Bundaberg QLD – 25 hectares of macadamias.
• Caroona feedlot, Quirindi NSW – 23,500-head capacity with 1387 hectares of cropping.
• Cerberus, Rockhampton QLD – 8280 hectares. Beef cattle breeding and backgrounding.
• Cobungra Station, Omeo VIC – 6488 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $35 million.
• Comanche, Glenroy QLD – 7600 hectares. Purchased in 2018 for $15.7 million.
• Dohnt vineyard, Coonawarra SA – 30 hectares of vines.
• Dyamberin, New England NSW – 1728 hectares. Beef cattle breeding and backgrounding.
• Geier vineyard, Barossa Valley SA – 243 hectares of vines.
• Hahn vineyard, Barossa Valley SA – 49 hectares of vines.
• Kerarbury/Kamelda, Darlington Point NSW – 7756 hectares. Purchased in October 2015 for $19.25 million. 1282 hectares of almonds under development.
• Kleinig vineyard, Barossa Valley SA – 206 hectares of vines.
• Lynora Downs, Rolleston QLD – 4880-hectare cotton property. Purchased in 2016.
• Mayneland, Queensland – 2942 hectare cotton property. Purchased in 2018.
• Mooral, Hillston NSW – 3841 hectares. 808 hectares of almonds planted.
• Mundy vineyard, Adelaide Hills SA – 26 hectares of vines.
• Murphy vineyard, Adelaide Hills SA – 30 hectares of vines.
• Mungindi feedlot, Mungindi NSW – 12,000-head capacity with 409 hectares of cropping.
• Mutton Hole, Carpentaria QLD – 140,300 hectares. Beef cattle breeding.
• Natal Downs, Longston Station and Narellan, Charters Towers QLD – 390,660 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for $53 million.
• Oakland Park, Croydon QLD – 85,500 hectares. Beef cattle breeding.
• Petro, High Hill and Willara, WA – 6000 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $22.6 million.
• Prime City feedlot, Yanco NSW – 35,000-head capacity with 4021 hectares of cropping.
• Rewan Station, Rolleston QLD – 17,500 hectares. Beef backgrounding and finishing.
• Rosebank vineyard, Grampians VIC – 82 hectares of vines.
• Swan Ridge and Moore Park, Bundaberg QLD – 234 hectares of macadamias.
• Tocabil, Hillston NSW – 6900 hectares. 600 hectares of almonds planted and under development.
• Woodburn, New England NSW – 1062 hectares. Beef cattle breeding and backgrounding. Purchased in 2019.
• Yilgah, Hillston NSW – 6400 hectares. 1006 hectares of almonds planted.
SAMPSON FAMILY
Wellbourn Hill, Marla SA – 338,700 hectares.
SELECT HARVESTS
Operates 7696 hectares of almond orchards in Victorian Mallee, the South Australian Riverland and NSW Riverina.
• Lake Cullulleraine orchard, Lake Cullulleraine VIC.
• Robinvale/Euston orchards VIC/NSW – 1688 hectares.
• Griffith/Hillston orchards NSW – 671 hectares.
• Loxton/Paringa orchards SA – 637 hectares.
Source: selectharvests.com.au
PAUL & JO SMITH
• Tieyon Station, Kulgera SA – 652,730 hectares.
KERRY STOKES (AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL EQUITY)
Australian businessman and Seven Network chairman. Last year sold a 7821-hectare aggregation on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island for about $25 million.
• Balquhidder Station, Parawa SA – 3000 hectares. Purchased in 2007 for $30 million.
• Mt House Station, Halls Creek WA. Purchased in 2016 for more than $20 million.
• Mt Scrub, Fleurieu Peninsula SA – 660 hectares. Purchased in 2009 for about $5 million.
• Napier Downs Station, Derby WA – 400,000 hectares. Purchased in 2015.
SWISS AUSTRALIA FARM HOLDINGS
Operates farms in NSW, South Australia and Queensland.
• Glenstrae, Willalooka SA – 5876 hectares.
• Naweena, Padthaway SA – 7433 hectares.
• Netley Station, Broken Hill NSW – 73,299 hectares. Purchased in 2019 for $10.6 million.
• Neumayer Valley Station, Normanton QLD. 143,000 hectares carrying 20,000 Brahman cows.
CAROLINE THOMAS & JOHN KNIGHT
• Evelyn Downs, Coober Pedy SA – 234,500 hectares.
TODMORDEN CATTLE COMPANY
• Todmorden Station, Oodadatta SA – 716,860 hectares.
WARAKIRRI ASSET MANAGEMENT
Warakirri Asset Management is another of Australian agriculture’s multimillion-dollar behemoths, overseeing about $800 million in assets under the separate banners of Aurora Dairies, Warakirri Cropping and Daybreak Cropping (which is backed by Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board – see separate listing)
– AURORA DAIRIES
• Bangalay, Rosedale VIC – 340 hectares.
• Bonney View, Millicent SA – 460 hectares.
• Canunda Park, Millicent SA – 250 hectares.
• Coradjil Place, Simpson VIC – 310 hectares.
• Glenfarm, Cobden VIC – 180 hectares.
• Maritana, Echuca VIC – 1010 hectares.
• Orford Wells, Port Fairy VIC – 360 hectares.
• Patricks Day, Hawkesdale VIC – 400 hectares.
• Peneplain, Rosedale VIC – 450 hectares.
• Poorinda, Simpson VIC – 285 hectares.
• Warwillah, Hawkesdale VIC – 340 hectares.
• Wellbourne, Simpson VIC – 260 hectares.
– WARAKIRRI CROPPING
• Baingarra, Minyip VIC – 5600 hectares.
• Boolavilla, Croppa Creek NSW – 4900 hectares.
• Bullarto Downs, Hopetoun VIC – 5900 hectares.
• Cowabbie-Mukoora, Ardlethan NSW – 10,500 hectares.
• Lobethal, Beaumont WA – 13,600 hectares.
• Mawarra, Merredin WA – 10,950 hectares.
• Myola, Dalby QLD – 3000 hectares.
• Orange Park, Lockhart NSW – 8800 hectares.
• Willaroo, Goondiwindi QLD – 13,700 hectares.
• Wyobie, Dalby QLD – 2800 hectares.
– DAYBREAK CROPPING
• Bodallin Farms, Bodallin WA – 12,570 hectares.
• Caringbah Farms, Temora NSW – 11,600 hectares.
• Catumnal Farms, Boort VIC – 7300 hectares.
• Erregulla Plains, Mingenew WA – 18,000 hectares.
• Kinbeachie Farms, Toobeah QLD – 7350 hectares.
• Orana Farms, Weethalle NSW – 11,900 hectares.
• Waddikee Farms, Ravensthorpe WA – 6500 hectares.
WILLIAMS CATTLE COMPANY
Owned by South Australia’s Williams family, Williams Cattle Company’s 4.65 million hectares include what is considered the world’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek, which it bought from S Kidman and Co in 2016. Owns seven pastoral properties in the north of South Australia as well as grazing and cropping land in the Flinders Ranges.
• Anna Creek Station, Coober Pedy SA – 1.57 million hectares. Purchased from S Kidman & Co in 2016.
• Arckaringa Station, Coober Pedy SA – 274,500 hectares. Purchased in 1989.
• Connibar/Carieton, Carieton SA – 11,400 hectares.
• Hamilton Station, Coober Pedy SA – 701,000 hectares.
• Mt Barry Station, Coober Pedy SA – 492,000 hectares.
• Mt Sarah Station, Coober Pedy SA – 224,800 hectares.
• Nilpanna Station, Coober Pedy SA – 565,800 hectares.
• The Peake Station, Coober Pedy SA – 813,000 hectares. Outstation to Anna Creek, purchased in 2016.
Source: williamscattlecompany.com.au
YADLAMALKA PASTORAL
Owned by South Australian pastoralist Andrew Doman.
• Beltana Station, Flinders Ranges SA – 154,100 hectares. Purchased in 2017 for $8.4 million.
• Yadlamalka Station, Flinders Ranges SA.
• This list was compiled from industry sources, websites and media reports. The Advertiser and our sister publication The Weekly Times have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information but cannot guarantee it is all up to date.