NSW cattle farm sold in eight-figure deal

A mighty northern NSW pastoral company has sold a three-farm aggregation, spanning 1011ha near Walcha.

Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral Co have sold the 1011ha Eulabah Aggregation, south of Walcha, NSW.

A blue ribbon, 1011ha three-farm cattle aggregation near Walcha in northern NSW, has changed hands after it was recently sold in an eight-figure deal.

The Eulabah Aggregation, comprising the Eulabah, Balnagowan and Glen View properties, has been sold by the mighty Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral Co after six years of ownership.

Listed for sale in November last year, the Eulabah Aggregation was expected to field offers ranging from $11,560,000 to $13,440,000, or the equivalent of $11,434 to $13,293 a hectare.

It is understood a local cattle operation based at Nundel, in the NSW New England region, has acquired the aggregation as a whole, for an undisclosed sum.

The Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral Co, operated by the Haggarty family, are primarily based at their historic sheep station Goonoo Goonoo, near Tamworth on the Liverpool Plains.

Previously owned by the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), Goonoo Goonoo Station was acquired by the Haggarty family, towards the end of 2011, adding it to a 1619ha southeastern subdivision of Goonoo Goonoo purchased in 2009.

Bought by the Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral Co in 2018, the Eulabah Aggregation was offered to the market, prompted by the retirement of its long-term manager.

It was also reported the Haggartys had added a further 1821ha of adjoining country, originally part of the Goonoo Goonoo Station, to the historic pastoral run.

“This aggregation has been well managed and maintained for the past few years. All the hard work is done on this highly productive aggregation,” Jim Lyons Agency selling agent Jim Lyons said.

The Eulabah properties have carried a herd of about 1500 steers.

“The vendor has been running and finishing 1500 steers. The last steers averaged 400kg dressed weight, with the top at 460kg.”

Located 45km south of Walcha near Niangala, the Eulabah Aggregation sits about 1200 metres above sea level, delivering average annual rainfall of about 1000mm.

The aggregation boasts 1.6km of frontage to the McDonald River and 1.2km of frontage to the Halls Creek and is watered by 42 dams, many of which are spring fed.

Infrastructure includes a four-bedroom home, two cattle yards, a shed and many kilometres of new fencing.

The notable sale comes after Gina Rinehart’s S.Kidman & Co splashed about $75m for the 5003ha Wirrabilla, 20km southwest of Walcha, marking her third significant NSW cattle property purchase so far this year.