Litchfield family buy Barton’s Bunnabukbuk farm and Lawrence family sell Hillside

One northern Victorian farm and another in the NSW Riverina have been sold in separate deals to prominent buyers.

Two renowned and established farming families in northern Victoria and the NSW Riverina have expanded their existing holdings with some headline purchases.

The 907ha Bunnabukbuk livestock farm, at Adelong, one hour east of Wagga Wagga, was sold by brothers Tony and Bill Barton to Jim and Libby Litchfield of Hazeldean.

In 2015 the Litchfields’ Hazeldean Merinos celebrated 150 years, with the stud selling about 800 rams and 400-500 bulls a year at the time.

Bunnabukbuk, at Adelong, has a conservative carrying capacity of 500 cows and calves.

Their purchase of Bunnabukbuk adds to their operation, which covers three districts — 13,760ha spread across two properties at Cooma, 26,300ha at Hay bought in 2001 and a further 1012ha at Adelong.

The Barton brothers had owned Bunnabukbuk since August 2001 and nearby Califat since February 2012.

Webster Nolan Real Estate Surry Hills director and selling agent David Nolan said there was strong interest in Bunnabukbuk with a number of registered bidders.

Bunnabukbuk farm was owned by the Barton brothers since August 2001.

When the farm was listed for sale it was carrying 250 cows and calves, 170 feeder steers, 160 replacement heifers and 1000 carry-over store lambs.

Adelong also has a conservative carrying capacity of 500 cows and calves.

Across the border, the Lawrence family’s 144-year tenure at Youarang has ended after the sale of the 481ha Hillside property.

Ian and Liz Lawrence have sold the 481ha Hillside farm at Youarang, in the Moira Shire.

In a deal understood to be worth about $9 million, or $18,500 a hectare ($7500 an acre), the 291ha Hillside East and the 190ha Hillside West have been sold to an established Burramine farming family.

When the Lawrence family listed the two farms for sale in September, they had price expectations of about $8 million, or $16,800 a hectare.

In 1878 the family acquired the original part of the holding, with more parcels added over time.

Vendors Ian and Liz Lawrence were selling to retire after 48 years of consecutive sowings and harvests on Hillside.

The farm was cropped under the same agronomic advice for the past 15 seasons and was planted to 2022 winter crops of wheat, canola and lupins.