Rich Avon, Willaura, Jarklin: Mixed results for Victorian farm auctions

One western Victorian farm was sold for more than $22,000 a hectare, while others were passed in through auction.

A selection of Victorian farms have returned mixed fortunes as they were offered for sale via auction this week.

At Rich Avon, 15km from Donald, a 355ha cropping block was passed in on a vendor bid of $12,352 a hectare ($5000 per acre), for a total of $4.385 million.

Negotiations for the sale of the property are ongoing according to Driscoll Douglas East Rural Real Estate selling agent Brett Douglas.

The cropping country, known as Adams, has been offered to the market multiple times in the past 12 months by a western Victorian farming family.

Two lots adjoining Adams, Bryans (815ha) and Burchells (159ha), were sold to multiple local buyers in deals understood to be worth $13,592 per hectare ($5500 per acre), or about $13 million combined

Meanwhile, a long held parcel of western Victorian farmland has been sold, making more than $22,000 a hectare through auction.

Located at Lot 2, McCarthys Rd, Willaura a 193.9ha block has been sold as one to neighbouring farmer Chris Brain.

A 193.9ha farm at Willaura made $4.384 million this week.

At the Willaura Hall on Wednesday Mr Brain secured the property for $22,610 a hectare ($9150 an acre), for a total of $4.384 million in front about four other active bidders.

The block, considered 95 per cent arable, had been owned by the McCarthy family and was regarded as blue ribbon cropping, wool and prime lamb production land.

Elders Real Estate Ararat selling agents Michael Fratin and Garry Todd handled the sale, with Mr Fratin describing the result a sign of persistent demand for quality farming assets in western Victoria.

“It shows there is a strength in the market for prime rural holdings. This was a good test to see where the market is at,” he said.

Meanwhile in central Victoria the binding was more subdued as two holdings offered by the same vendor were passed in on live bids.

The 227ha Watsons at Jarklin East Rd and Whites Pit Rd, Jarklin and the 106.2ha Gillinghams, at Jarklin-Yarrawalla Rd and Miles Rd, Yarrawalla were both passed in at auction on Wednesday.

Watsons was passed in on a bid of $7400 a hectare while Gillinghams was passed in on a bid of $8648.82.

Nutrien Harcourts Bendigo selling agent Alister Kemp said negotiations were continuing for the sale of the two mixed farming blocks.

A Dingee farmer, who was planning on consolidating his existing holdings, was offering the two farms separately.