Premier central Victorian sheep farm snapped up

A renowned 1200ha central Victorian property has changed hands after it was offered for sale in 2022, where it was expected to fetch $30 million offers.

The Henderson family have sold their 1200ha Avington Merino property, located at Sidonia near Kyneton.

A premier central Victorian sheep station spanning 1200ha, has changed hands after it was snapped up by an emerging sheep enterprise.

Southern Pastoral Group, a partnership between director Bill Craig and investment banker Simon Mckeown, have acquired the renowned sheep farm, Avington Merino, located at Sidonia, near Kyneton in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

Both Mr Craig and Mr McKeown have spent much of their working life investing in US markets, but decided to change pace and establish their own pastoral enterprise, first acquiring the 529ha Balboora property at Pastoria in 2021.

Since purchasing Avington earlier this year, Southern Pastoral have run Merino-Border Leicester ewes for fat lamb production while also pursuing some ultrafine wool production.

Southern Pastoral have since listed Balboora for sale as they seek to consolidate their enterprise and add a grain growing block to further drought proof and maximise the Avington holding.

Avington Merino was rated to carry 15,000 dry sheep equivalent.

First listed for sale in November 2022 by renowned and retiring Victorian wool producers, Noel and Lyndsay Henderson, the Avington property was offered via expressions of interest where it was expected to be worth in the vicinity of $30 million.

The value of the Avington sale remains undisclosed, but it is understood to have included most of the property’s plant and equipment and most of the superfine Merino flock.

CBRE Agribusiness agents Shane McIntyre and Matt Childs handled the sale.

“Avington has been developed and maintained over the past 25 years by the Henderson family to be a highly improved, world-renowned enterprise,” Mr Childs said when the property was listed for sale.

“The level of quality in the infrastructure, technology, animal welfare, brand reputation, and operational efficiencies is rarely found in assets of this nature.”

The Hendersons established Avington Merino in 1996, dedicating their time to the production of high-quality superfine and ultrafine merino wool via ethical farming practices, becoming one of the few global producers of luxury merino wool fibres.

In 2017 Avington Merino was Australia’s first enterprise certified under the international sheep and wool welfare program, the Responsible Wool Standard.

In November 2019, Mr Henderson was elected as a director of the Australian Wool Innovation board.

Avington’s awards included the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association’s 2014-15 Grand Champion Fleece and the 2016 and 2018 Champion Ultrafine Poll merino ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show Bendigo.

Of the 1200ha property, 87 per cent is classed as arable and grazing area, including a fully-automated and stock water system, rated to carry 15,000 dry sheep equivalent.

In 2017 Avington Merino was Australia’s first enterprise certified under the international sheep and wool welfare program, the Responsible Wool Standard.

In November 2019, Mr Henderson was elected as a director of the Australian Wool Innovation board.

Avington’s awards included the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association’s 2014-15 Grand Champion Fleece and the 2016 and 2018 Champion Ultrafine Poll merino ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show Bendigo.

Of the almost 1200ha property, 87 per cent is classed as arable and grazing area, including a fully-automated and stock water system, rated to carry 15,000 dry sheep equivalent.