Baker family to sell southern NSW Riverina powerhouse Baker Grain Aggregation near Howlong

The mammoth 3010ha Baker Grain Aggregation in the southern NSW Riverina is for sale and expected to command a premium price.

One of southern Riverina’s finest family farming enterprises, the Baker Grain Aggregation, has hit the market where it could fetch a a premium price.

After 33 years in charge, the Baker family are selling the 3010ha aggregation, a property regarded as a production powerhouse and one of the Howlong region’s premium rural properties.

The Baker family formed the sprawling aggregation in 1989, developing it into a renowned cropping, dryland farming and grazing enterprise.

Developed irrigation country in the southern NSW Riverina has achieved about $24,700 a hectare ($10,000 an acre) and it is expected the Bakers Grain Aggregation will receive offers greater than this figure plus improvements and water.

The Baker family formed their sprawling aggregation in 1989.

With significant water and improvements included, the value of the total aggregation could reach up to $100 million.

The aggregation boasts several key features including 1925ha under irrigation with 4287ML of water entitlements, providing year-round cropping capability and highly improved pastures.

There is also 65,000 tonnes of grain storage, well-formed laneways and stock handling facilities and six residences.

The aggregation is also located near Albury with direct access to the Riverina Highway and Murray River frontage.

Nutrien Harcourts Albury selling agents Billy Jones, Andrew Bell and Brian Liston are handling the sale.

The Baker Grain Aggregation includes 1925ha under irrigation with 4287ML of water entitlements.

Mr Jones said the Baker Grain Aggregation had become a pinnacle in large-scale irrigation and cropping on the Murray River.

“This is a unique opportunity which would enable an existing industry participant to broaden their operational base or a new entrant to secure a large foothold in a highly regarded and tightly held location,” he said.

Mr Jones said the aggregation was the leader in the southern Riverina for cropping, livestock, grain storage, freight, and contract farm services.

The aggregation is for sale as a whole or as separate parcels, via a two-stage expressions of interest campaign with preliminary registration closing on Friday, October 7 at 5pm, and expressions of interest closing Friday, October 28 at 5pm.

In 2014, the Bakers were sending hay to Queensland to help farmers deal with drought, after the Bakers lost all but two paddocks of cereal crops to frost in the 2013 spring.

Earlier this year, 2448ha cropping and grazing Withers Aggregation, near Berrigan in southern NSW, was sold prior to auction in a deal believed to be worth at least $33m.