Daybreak Cropping pays $97m for Iconic Erregulla Plains farm in WA

Daybreak Cropping has reportedly paid close to $100 million for an iconic property.

Erregulla Plains sale is thought to be one of the biggest in Western Australia’s history.

A CORPORATE cropping investment business has reportedly paid more than $97 million for an iconic property in Western Australia.

Erregulla Plains at Mingenew, one of the most substantial grain growing aggregations in WA at more than 22,000 hectares in size, has reportedly sold to Daybreak Cropping for about $4400 per hectare.

The sale is thought to be the biggest ever in Western Australia.

Daybreak Cropping was formed in 2016 as a national broadacre cropping business managed by Warakirri Asset Management, in a joint venture with Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board.

Erregulla Plains is the second property Daybreak Cropping has snapped up this year with the business also acquiring Orana Farms, near Weethalle in central west NSW.

Erregulla Plains WA supplied pic

Erregulla Plains was owned by Stuart and Cherie Smart and had been in the Smart family for three generations.

Expressions of interest were called for the property by selling agent Steve Vaughan from Ray White Rural in August and closed at the beginning of October.

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Ray White Rural described Erregulla Plains as having “prestige and precision”.

“From a majestic homestead, to impeccable purpose built farm, infrastructure and highly developed internal road systems Erregulla Plains has it all,” Ray White Rural said.

“Erregulla Plains is one of the most substantial grain growing aggregations in Western Australia with optimal soil health, high yield potential, reliable rainfall and an enviable lime and fertiliser history.”

The property is on 21 titles and while the infrastructure is geared toward cropping but the land is also suitable for wool and lamb production.

There are 13 farm buildings including workshops and chemical sheds as well as three homes on the property.

Daybreak Cropping also owns:

Bodallin Farms, WA – over 12,000ha

Caringbah Farms, NSW – over 11,000ha

Catumnal Farms, VIC – over 7000ha

Kinbeachie Farms, QLD – over 7000ha

Orana Farms, NSW – over 10,000ha

Waddikee Farms, WA – over 6,000ha