Bishop family to sell historic Deniliquin farm Werai Station

A 160-year-old 7493ha station, located near Deniliquin, has hit the market after 30 years in the hands of a highly regarded Angus cattle farming family.

A 160-year-old southern NSW Riverina property has hit the market, in one of the most notable listings this spring.

Australian Angus cattle farmers and property developers Malcolm and Kerry Bishop are offering the historic 7493ha Werai Station, located northwest of Deniliquin along the Colligen Creek.

The Bishops purchased the property in the 1990s, but in recent seasons a neighbour has managed the station while they have been based in Melbourne.

The Bishop family have listed their 7493ha Werai Station for sale.

Werai Station itself spans 5297ha alongside three adjoining holdings including Bells (961ha), Hoods (771ha) and York Plains (302ha), with the aggregation offered in one line or as separate parcels.

No price guide for the property has been offered, but district mixed farmland values are about $3700 to $5000 a hectare ($1500 to $2000 an acre), meaning the property could fetch offers worth more than $27.5 million.

Kerry and Malcolm Bishop at a Pakenham cattle sale in 2018. Picture: Andy Rogers

Mrs Bishop said she and her husband have continuously developed Werai Station during their nearly 30-year tenure .

“When we bought it, we thought at that stage, which was in the 1990s, it was a very viable size with good soil capabilities for cattle and cropping programs,” she said.

“The property has an excellent balance of county running alluvial river flats with red gum timbers through to fertile open dryland and irrigation farming country.

Werai Station has been used for extensive winter and summer cropping while also carrying Angus cattle and sheep.

“We have always been conscious about sustainability and soil improvements and during our time we have converted more than 5000 acres (2020ha) to certified organic soil.

“Even now after all these years we are still improving right now.”

In recent seasons the property has been run at a low intensity carrying 800 Te Mania Angus breeders plus followers as well as Dorpers. Most often their cattle has been sold at the Pakenham saleyards.

The Bishop family carried cattle in partnership with Te Mania Angus in recent seasons.

There are 680ha at the property used for irrigated winter and summer cropping while the balance is used for dryland cropping and grazing. Canola, wheat and barley crops have been sown for this season.

The Bishops also have 9000ML of water entitlements attached to the property, some of which could be sold to a successful purchaser(s).

Border Real Estate selling agent David Leeds is handling the sale and said the historic Riverina station was droughtproof, due to water access which is unobstructed by the infamous Barmah Choke.

“Werai Station has water supply from the Murray Irrigation Limited main supply channel and the Colligen Creek,” Mr Leeds said.

He also said the property could suit a variety of buyers including local producers looking for additional parcels, larger farming families or corporate buyers.